Difference between revisions of "Liberalism"

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[[Category:political philosophies]]{{seed}}
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==Overview==
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==Reference==
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[[category:political philosophies]][[category:isms]][[Liberalism]], at its core, is a [[political philosophy]] which holds that [[individual liberty]] is the most important consideration.
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* {{wikipedia|Liberalism}}
 
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==Related Articles==
 
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* Liberalism tends to be directly at odds with [[Conservatism]] on many issues
 
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* Liberals in the United States tend to be [[The United States Democratic Party|Democrats]]
 
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==Quotes==
 
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"As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality." – [[wikiquote:George Washington|George Washington]] (attributed) (What was Washington's definition of "liberal"?)
 
  
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==Notes==
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Liberalism:
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From [[David Brin]] [http://davidbrin.blogspot.com/2006/08/worst-habit-of-liberalism-handing-karl.html]:
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* emphasizes individual rights
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{{quoteon}}Won’t you try this little ''mental experiment'' yourself? Start by listing a dozen or so “standard liberal positions.” For example you expect a liberal to:
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* seeks a society characterized by:
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** [[freedom of thought]] for individuals
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** limitations on [[political power]] (especially of government and [[religion]])
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** the [[rule of law]] (as opposed to e.g. arbitrary commands of a king or despot)
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** the free exchange of ideas
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** a market economy supporting free private enterprise
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** a [[transparent]] system of government that protects specific rights for all citizens equally
  
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* oppose the Iraq War
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In the modern age, liberals tend to prefer a [[liberal democratic]] form of government while realizing that such is merely the best known expression of liberal ideals and far from perfect.
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* welcome [[US immigration|immigrants]]
 
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* support the undiluted right to [[abortion]]
 
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* oppose Arctic or offshore drilling
 
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* oppose [[nuclear power]]
 
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* oppose tax cuts
 
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* support [[gay marriage]]
 
  
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... and so on.
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The exact nature of liberalism as a social and political force varies significantly from country to country:
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* [[US liberalism]]
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If you don’t like my list, write one of your own! Make your own list of positions you deem important. I’ll wait.
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* [[UK liberalism]]
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* [[Australia liberalism]]
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Now try this. Imagine a person who holds ''all'' of the correct views ''except one''. Suppose - on just that one issue - a person strongly takes the ''opposite view''. Not quietly, but openly, and vigorously. Now picture how that person would be received in most liberal gatherings.
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==Reference==
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What name would they be called?
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* {{wikipedia|Liberalism}}
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{{quoteoff}}
 
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A longer list of "knee-jerk liberal" positions might be useful; the above is certainly a good start. (Are any of these "core" liberal positions? Are there other "core" liberal positions which should be listed?)
 

Revision as of 15:46, 30 March 2007

Overview

Liberalism, at its core, is a political philosophy which holds that individual liberty is the most important consideration.

Liberalism:

  • emphasizes individual rights
  • seeks a society characterized by:
    • freedom of thought for individuals
    • limitations on political power (especially of government and religion)
    • the rule of law (as opposed to e.g. arbitrary commands of a king or despot)
    • the free exchange of ideas
    • a market economy supporting free private enterprise
    • a transparent system of government that protects specific rights for all citizens equally

In the modern age, liberals tend to prefer a liberal democratic form of government while realizing that such is merely the best known expression of liberal ideals and far from perfect.

The exact nature of liberalism as a social and political force varies significantly from country to country:

Reference

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