To be fair, I had to look them up myself, but all the economic hallmarks of economic liberalism are part and parcel of what we style "fiscal conservatism. " Which frankly makes more sense to me; if "curtailing red tape, privatizations, deregulation, curtailing public subsidies, and a reform of collective bargaining laws" is "liberal" now, does that make socialism "conservative"? In what world does that make sense...?
The logical opposite of "conservative" would be "progressive", not "liberal", and it makes perfect sense that a more pro-free-market stance is "liberal".
Incidentally, in certain parts of Europe, not so much Germany perhaps but France for instance, the socialist movement is certainly conservative: stuck in the past, defending past achievements at all costs and strongly resistant to change (except with regards to certain evolutions like LGBT rights). Between Sarkozy's UMP and the opposition PS, the former is more right-wing, but the latter is a lot more conservative.
The opposite of "progressive" would be more like "traditional. " Regardless, I don't think a move in the direction of the failed laissez-faire policies of Dickensian Europe or Carnegies America constitute "progress" and IIRC the "progressive" movements of the time (in particular Americas Progressive Party) stood in strong opposition to them and for labor reform and rights. Seems like revisionist history to me, and it seems there's been a lot of it the past few decades, perhaps in the hopes that now that everyone who lived through those horrors is dead the rest of us will ignorantly allow their reanimation as "innovation. "
--- signature starts here ---
I am the Demon of Delightfulness and Sinister Smirkings!
e^(πi)+1=0
identity named after the Terry Pratchett of 18th century mathematics
I am the Demon of Delightfulness and Sinister Smirkings!
e^(πi)+1=0
identity named after the Terry Pratchett of 18th century mathematics
First Germany, next Great Britain - 
- 27/09/2009 11:24:48 PM
818 Views
- 27/09/2009 11:24:48 PM
818 Views
Your terminology is confusing... 
- 27/09/2009 11:40:38 PM
508 Views
- 27/09/2009 11:40:38 PM
508 Views
He's speaking in American terms.
- 28/09/2009 12:42:57 AM
527 Views
As I said. Confusing terminology.
- 28/09/2009 11:32:46 AM
577 Views
- 28/09/2009 11:32:46 AM
577 Views
"Conservative" and "liberal" seem like perfect antonyms to me.
- 29/09/2009 05:22:36 PM
587 Views
That'd be because you are american
- 29/09/2009 07:13:09 PM
467 Views
- 29/09/2009 07:13:09 PM
467 Views
Sorry, do you think Labour is a liberal party? *NM*
- 27/09/2009 11:42:26 PM
254 Views
Yes I do. Left-wing Liberals, the very worst of both worlds. *NM*
- 27/09/2009 11:58:24 PM
275 Views
Ooo, Germany-
- 28/09/2009 12:19:40 AM
552 Views
wtf
- 28/09/2009 01:26:18 PM
664 Views
I know, I know
- 28/09/2009 09:01:17 PM
378 Views
I've got something for your cuteness list
- 29/09/2009 08:35:30 AM
542 Views
Awww, let's hug him! 
- 29/09/2009 06:26:44 PM
396 Views
- 29/09/2009 06:26:44 PM
396 Views
Him?? 
- 29/09/2009 08:55:03 PM
457 Views
- 29/09/2009 08:55:03 PM
457 Views
Well, he's the one with the cute last name!
- 29/09/2009 09:24:34 PM
380 Views
- 29/09/2009 09:24:34 PM
380 Views
I am more thinking we will have to spray you with a riot hose *NM*
- 29/09/2009 09:27:10 PM
206 Views
*NM*
- 29/09/2009 09:27:10 PM
206 Views
Thats...uh.....crazy talk 
*NM*
- 29/09/2009 09:32:14 PM
246 Views
*NM*
- 29/09/2009 09:32:14 PM
246 Views
For some reason, I read that as "spay you"...
- 29/09/2009 10:24:20 PM
568 Views
*NM*
Won't be effective, just because she can't breed won't stop her fervent efforts from trying
- 29/09/2009 10:38:43 PM
514 Views
For an older gentleman, Guido Westerwelle isn't so bad looking
- 29/09/2009 03:20:17 PM
506 Views
Brown is not a liberal by any possible stretch of the term or imagination.
- 28/09/2009 01:48:17 AM
459 Views
It doesn't make that much of a difference who is in charge anyway
- 28/09/2009 08:41:55 AM
463 Views
According to an analysis that I read in the NYT, it may.
- 28/09/2009 01:24:05 PM
383 Views
That same article says radical changes are unlikely, though.
- 28/09/2009 01:43:30 PM
584 Views
No one said there would be radical changes. But there will be changes
- 28/09/2009 01:56:01 PM
471 Views
Merkel is further to the left than most if not all Democrats in government here in the US.
- 28/09/2009 01:25:09 PM
524 Views