A liberal society is characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on power, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy, free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected. In the 21st century, this usually means liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law. This from wikipedia...
2007-08-13 06:32:11 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Pardon the typo..liberalism
2007-08-13 06:33:37 · update #1
Nope. I just wish we had some of them in the Democratic Party.
2007-08-13 06:41:37 · answer #1 · answered by Brian 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
This is a traditional definition of liberalism and today it is used to describe politicians who are basically the antithesis of such ideals. Todays "liberal" politician stand for censorship (i.e. the Fairness Doctrine), limitations on power by anyone outside of government (government knows best mentality), suppression of ideas that they disagree with (Christianity or the 2nd Amendment for example), excessive regulation of markets, greater government control of enterprise, a hidden system of government (i.e. details about those earmarks in appropriation bills), elections where we can no longer ask people to prove that they really are who they say and are legal voters, where we are created special rights for certain protected classes, etc.
As Dennis Prager says, he is a liberal by the traditional definition of the term which means that he is a political conservative. .
2007-08-13 14:06:57 · answer #2 · answered by S C 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The definition contradicts itself;
The rule of law contradicts limitation of power.
limitations of power is contradicted by transparent system of government in which the rights of all citizens are protected.
The problem I have with most libs is that they want more government,not less.
we are set up as democracy,ruled through majority.When the Libs want to ram legislation through that goes against the wants of the majority,it is counter to the system of government we have in place.they seem to feel that the agenda they support,weather it is a majority opinion or not,is sacrosanct and cannot be set aside simply because the majority of the nation is not in favor of it.
2007-08-13 13:46:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
This definition of Liberalism sounds a lot more like Conservatism. We need to differentiate between Liberalism and Leftism. Liberalism is a healthy thing, but Leftists have hijacked the Democratic party in the USA.
2007-08-13 13:40:45 · answer #4 · answered by Jeff A 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Tell me where there are liberals that fit this description? Why is it the liberals that we see are attacking the 1st, 2nd, & 13th amendment with absolute zeal. The want bigger government, more control of the people, they want to tell us what we can drive, what we eat, what shows we watch. They want to give more rights to foreigners especially combatants and grant amnesty to 20 million illegals. This from real life.
2007-08-13 13:44:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not! In fact there are some great Liberals on this forum that I have a great deal of respect for.
It's not the liberals who are the problem. It's those danged Socialists who have infiltrated the Democratic party.
2007-08-13 13:37:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 1⤋
Those are the exact freedoms liberals are trying to preserve today. Unfortunately, it's the conservatives that are willing to give up those freedoms for security and for religion being forced down the throats of children in our schools. At least that is what THEY are pushing for. Conservatives would love to see us back to the days of McKinley and the robber barons of American industry when children worked 14 hour days and didn't go to school. They'd love to see the American workers rights revoked back to that time period as well for the sake of business rule. They forgot that it was the liberals, the unions and the people who opposed the endentured servitude imposed by industry who got todays conservatives and workers where they are today with 8 hour work days instead of 14 to 16 hours, and a 5 day work week instead of a 7 day work week. They forgot what rights were fought for by liberals and workers so they can have the life they have now.
2007-08-13 13:40:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
That's a decent definition when talking geopolitics. Within the smaller arena of American politics, however, it would not describe the 'left' very well.
2007-08-13 13:42:12 · answer #8 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
That is called "classical liberalism". Those ideals are completely lost on the American neo-libs of today.
2007-08-13 13:38:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋
ok, I would have no problem with that, but that isnt what it SEEMS most liberals are going for.
Cheers and have a nice day
2007-08-13 13:37:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 2⤋