What is LIBERALISM?

Question

Hi.

I'm a new guy to politics, so please don't give me too much jargon or Wikipedia. I think my question doesn't really need much more clarification.

Please may you specify how this relates to Conservatism or indeed Communism.

Short, sweet and simple answers please =D

Thank you,

Answer 1

Liberalism can be summed up as "respect for others" or "do onto others as you would want others to do onto you".

Liberals tend to support education, scientific research, disaster relief, responsible government, fiscal responsibility, support for the troops, Religious freedom, lack of government interference in individual lives, personal responsibility, and not passing the buck. Basically, all the things that Conservatives are against.

For a more detailed description, look in Wikipedia.

Answer 2

Please tell us what country you are from, since Americans have altered the meanings of Conservatism and Liberalism to something completely different to the OED.

A liberal is NOT a communist in the English language. A liberal is a pragmatic centrist.

A conservative is as the name suggests, supporting the status quo, typically right wing, but not extreme (as in the Conservative Party (The Tories))

Communism is the politics of the extreme left. Ultra socialism (not like the moderate "market socialism" of todays Labour party)

When the Whigs (the "old" Liberals) were in government at the time of the Reform Act, it was about empowering individuals, universal suffrage and ending the disproportionate power of land owners to vote and sit in parliament. Modern liberalism is still focused on individual rights and responsibilities and minimal state interference.

Answer 3

Liberalism indicates a commitment to the school of thought of the political left. This includes holding ideals such as egalitarianism (resources should be shared equally), embracing social change, questioning tradition, and distrusting authority. While the economic tenets of Communism are compatible with Liberalism, the authoritianism and nationalism associated with powerful communists nations in the recent past is less so.

Liberal is prettymuch the opposite of Conservative. Conservatives believe in individual responsibity, distrusting change, valuing tradition, and respecting authority.

Answer 4

I believe the word Liberal speaks volumes. They want to be liberal in spending your money ( higher taxes)with mass programs. Very close indeed to socialism. Basically, they believe in a hand out rather than promoting independence with a hand up. Hang around for awhile and you will see by the answers, who is liberal and what their beliefs are.

Conservatives believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They also believe an individual can succeed through hard work. Conservatives have faith in their fellow man. Conservatives do not believe in big government controlling their lives. In a nut shell this is the difference.

Answer 5

The terms liberal and conservative originally referred to fiscal policy. They expressed opinion on whether the government should spend liberally, or conservatively on social programs.

It is socialism, not communism. Communism is a political system where a single party enforces a socialist policy. On the other extreme is fascism, where a single party enforces policies to benefit capitalism.

We live in a democracy, where elements of both are allowed, and public consensus, in theory, sets the balance.

Answer 6

Larry from above. You got it all wrong. Liberals want to teach that man to fish and help him out while he's doign it. Conservatives would leave him to starve. They don't believe in social spending. "To each his own".

Liberals believe in improving society through progressive legislation, meaning expand equal rights to all groups of people, expanding social freedoms, and leveling the playing field. Liberals understand that not everybody starts off at the same starting line. That is why they support schooling for all people regardless of income, state subsidized universities, student grants, subsidized loans, GI bills, job training, and temporary safety nets.

Conservatives don't really have an ideology besides just supporting the status quo. The "status quo" has meant different things at different times. It just means they oppose change.

Answer 7

Liberals generally believe that those that "have" have a responsibility to help those who "have not".
In communism, it is believed that no one should have more than anyone else. Everyone would have the same (be "communal" - hence the name). Liberals don't focus on everyone having the same as everyone else, but more that those who do have more should bear a larger portion of the social responsibility.
Conservatives believe that each of us is entitled to what we have (assuming we got it legally) and that no one should be given anything.

Answer 8

To make it short......Liberalism= Tolerance. Oppossed to any form of conservatism which, usually means intolerance. Communism is intolerant & totalitarian.

Answer 9

A mental disorder which is exemplified by placing blame anywhere but on liberals.

Passion manifests itself through view that, while false and detrimental, make the liberal feel good.

Being praised by others with the disorder becomes the only source of pleasure. Such praise is achieved through relentless and usually baseless bashing of anyone who disagrees with them.

Answer 10

"'Liberalism' is defined as a social ethic that advocates liberty, and equality in general."
"Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end."