''This article discusses liberalism as a major worldwide political ideology, its development, and some of its many modern-day variations. For the ideology commonly referred to as liberalism in the United States today, see American liberalism. For other uses, see Liberal (disambiguation).

Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value.A: "'Liberalism' is defined as a social ethic that advocates liberty, and equality in general." - Coady, C. A. J. Distributive Justice, A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy, editors Goodin, Robert E. and Pettit, Philip. Blackwell Publishing, 1995, p.440. B: "Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end." - Lord Acton Traditionally, what was meant by "liberty" was the freedom of each individual to do as they pleased, provided they did not infringe on the liberty of others. This is often called classical liberalism. Another form of liberalism, often called social liberalism, holds that freedom requires what is sometimes called a "level playing field", that for people to be free they must be free from the unequal power of those born to wealth and high social status. Attempts to level the playing field include anti-discrimination laws, civil service examinations, universal education, affirmative action, and progressive taxation. A third form of liberalism, now almost universal in liberal democracies, holds that the government should provide for the general welfare. This sometimes includes a dole for the poor, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick, all supported by taxes. Classical liberals often strongly object to this kind of liberalism, asserting that the freedom of private property takes precedence over the personal freedom that depends on health, education, and a place to live; they claim that private charity does the job as well, or even better.

Classical liberals seek a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on coercive power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government. Modern liberals advocate a government in which the rights of minorities are protected. Compare for the latter aspect the Oxford Manifesto of 1947 of the Liberal International (Respect for the language, faith, laws and customs of national minorities), Oxford Manifesto of 1997 (We believe that close cooperation among democratic societies through global and regional organisations, within the framework of international law, of respect for human rights, the rights of national and ethnic minorities, and of a shared commitment to economic development worldwide, is the necessary foundation for world peace and for economic and environmental sustainability), the ELDR Electoral programme 1994 (Protecting the rights of minorities flows naturally from liberal policy, which seeks to ensure equal opportunities for everyone). In modern society, classical and social liberals favour a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and equal opportunity. Compare the Oxford Manifesto of the Liberal International (These rights and conditions can be secured only by true democracy. True democracy is inseparable from political liberty and is based on the conscious, free and enlightened consent of the majority, expressed through a free and secret ballot, with due respect for the liberties and opinions of minorities).

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Thuggish liberalism by George Will - ...disclosing the names and addresses of those who signed petitions... http://tinyurl.com/yc2rpbm
wpear (wpear) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:29:51 -0000
Thuggish liberalism by George Will - ...disclosing the names and addresses of those who signed petitions... http://tinyurl.com/yc2rpbm
The totalitarian thought processes of modern liberalism: http://tinyurl.com/yk4x366 #tcot #tlot #gop #sgp #teaparty #ocra
wpear (wpear) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:26:51 -0000
The totalitarian thought processes of modern liberalism: http://tinyurl.com/yk4x366 #tcot #tlot #gop #sgp #teaparty #ocra <Good summation
Universal education is the most corroding and disintegrating poison that liberalism has ever invented for its own destruction #tcot
ConservAnus (Conservanus) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:19:34 -0000
Universal education is the most corroding and disintegrating poison that liberalism has ever invented for its own destruction #tcot
@smashedthehomie I'd probably shoot myself before they shot me if I had to live there. Liberalism is in my blood.
Rezank (Rezan kiflesomethin) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:10:12 -0000
@smashedthehomie I'd probably shoot myself before they shot me if I had to live there. Liberalism is in my blood.
.@TheFlaCracker No my misguided little irrelevant RWNJ, he will prosper due to my "liberalism". A healthier, better educated future is his
SimplyFluid (Tim Stewart) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:01:21 -0000
.@TheFlaCracker No my misguided little irrelevant RWNJ, he will prosper due to my "liberalism". A healthier, better educated future is his
@SimplyFluid no just trying to get you to think... DEBT for one, and how your child will pay for your liberalism
TheFlaCracker (Fla Cracker) Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:55:25 -0000
@SimplyFluid no just trying to get you to think... DEBT for one, and how your child will pay for your liberalism

 

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