Why does the American interpretation of "liberal" differ from the European?
Artsapat Send a noteboard - 09/02/2010 09:15:39 AM
Just a little something that I have been wondering about for years. In Europe (and as far as I can tell also in Japan with the Liberal Democratic Party and probably other Asian countries as well), the term "liberal" (as a political term) denotes a party or politician that specifically starts with the freedom of individuals making their own choices. It started with the ideas of John Locke in the 17th century and the name "liberal" is derived from the Latin Liberalis or "free" (as far as I can tell, my Latin is a bit rusty - please feel free to improve my language skills).
It usually denotes political views propagating free trade, individual freedom and taking away barriers for individuals to grow (smaller government bodies, lower taxes, etc), but also a strict separation of church and state.
Liberal is usually considered (central-)right.
In The US however, "liberal" is more or less equated with left-wing politics. I have seen it equated with big government, big spending and anti-freedom.
How did that distinction start? Where does it originate?
It usually denotes political views propagating free trade, individual freedom and taking away barriers for individuals to grow (smaller government bodies, lower taxes, etc), but also a strict separation of church and state.
Liberal is usually considered (central-)right.
In The US however, "liberal" is more or less equated with left-wing politics. I have seen it equated with big government, big spending and anti-freedom.
How did that distinction start? Where does it originate?
The mystery deepens... I think. *MySmiley*
Why does the American interpretation of "liberal" differ from the European?
- 09/02/2010 09:15:39 AM
841 Views
For the last century or so liberal has meant the same in the UK as in the US.
- 09/02/2010 09:30:07 AM
742 Views
Because the US started off with the idea of freedom of individuals...
- 09/02/2010 09:40:59 AM
616 Views
Using that word "marxist" really undermines the credibility of your post. 
*NM*
- 09/02/2010 10:25:42 AM
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*NM*
- 09/02/2010 10:25:42 AM
210 Views
Only to people who don't understand Marxism in the slightest! *NM*
- 09/02/2010 02:32:39 PM
215 Views
*NM*
- 09/02/2010 02:32:39 PM
215 Views
Eh, obviously you can point to elements of Marxist influence in the Democratic Party...
- 09/02/2010 02:52:34 PM
563 Views
Anytime the people who object to an ideology are permitted to define it...
- 09/02/2010 10:56:46 PM
521 Views
Because they got offended when they were called socialist and progressive didn't stick *NM*
- 09/02/2010 02:09:10 PM
222 Views
Hah. Progressive wasn't dirty-sounding enough for the other side to go along with it 
*NM*
- 09/02/2010 07:35:35 PM
252 Views
*NM*
- 09/02/2010 07:35:35 PM
252 Views
1988. george bush vs. michael dukakis
- 10/02/2010 03:37:13 AM
569 Views
In America we typically now refer to true liberals (i.e. Locke) as "classical liberal(ism)"
- 12/02/2010 05:06:38 AM
648 Views