The word 'liberal' is derived from the Latin word 'libertas,' meaning 'liberty.' Liberalism started in 17th Century Europe as a logical and historical development from Protestantism with its focus on an individual having a direct personal relationship with God. Liberalism is also rooted in the English tradition of individual rights and privileges. John Locke's *Second Treatise on Civil Government* articulated the basic principles of liberalism--limited government, private property, equality before the law, the rule of law (meaning an impartial application and enforcement of the broad-based laws that allow for a wide scope of private discretion), and some democratic influence to restrict those in power. Locke, himself a Protestant Christian, believed people to be naturally sinful and selfish, but rational and social enough so that they could peacefully interact with one another. Laws are needed to maintain order, but largely the State should be restricted only to protecting private property (broadly defined as a person's private sphere), and to enforce contracts. The Founders of the United States were all followers of Locke. Jefferson's *Declaration of Independence* is an American adaptation of Locke's basic political philosophy. Puritan John Milton's defense of free speech in his *Areopagitica* provided the intellectual justification of the First Amendment from a Christian metaphysic.
With John Stuart Mill we find a bridge to another conception of liberty and equality that moves more toward socialism. Mill was highly influenced by his wife, Harriet Taylor, who was more of an egalitarian than a liberal. Here we find Mill arguing against classical notions of liberalism. Mill argued, contrary to Locke, that a just law is an encroachment on a person's liberty. He also contended that informal, non-coercive public opinion was a violation the rights of the individual as are traditional prohibitions, say on sexual morality or gender roles. In these moves to conceive of liberty in a broader way that simply overt coercion, Mill started to blur the line between private and public. Mill was also concerned about the distribution of wealth and income in ways that the Founders of the U.S. were not. Mill,at times, argued for a greater role for the State to actually achieve equality of result and actual liberty from others as opposed to a purely formal equality and liberty that the classical liberals sought.
These differences point to a fundamental divergence between classical and modern left liberals. Another such difference is the basic character of human nature. Locke and the U.S. Founders believed that humans were naturally selfish and dangerous in their exercise of power. For this reason, the U.S. Founders placed explicit restrictions on the State including a Bill of Rights, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Jefferson's admonition that the power that the State has to do something for you also has the power to do something to you follows from the doctrine of human depravity found in Christianity.
Left liberals tend to view humans as naturally good or malleable. No one is born evil. So, with the proper education and proper social and economic environment, people can naturally cooperate and care for each other. Brutal punishment is inhumane and simply aggravates past injustices making those convicted of a crime even more alienated and victimized by the unequal social order. What is needed to avert criminal behavior is greater inclusion and benevolence. The mechanism that facilitates these moral advances can be the State. Concerns over abuse of power, at least in social welfare legislation and macroeconomic policy, are not only misplaced but can be unnecessary obstacles for social progress.
Classical liberals view of legitimate State action is quite different. Physical punishment is seen as necessary to control those who freely choose to violate the rights of others. The State is needed to contain human evil and establish justice by retribution fairly imposed. Preparation and engaging in war can be necessary to protect a country from the attacks of an international aggressor. In both domestic and international crime, the person(s) who initiate violence forfeit their rights and violence can be justly used against them.
Some classical liberals such as Jefferson, Tocqueville, and Benjamin Constant believed that liberty was supported in the indigenous cultures of free countries. All of the Founders of the U.S. believed that a necessary condition for liberty was moral self-control. Religion provided the average person with the moral training and habit to prepare them to live responsibly with their fellows. Leftist liberals in contrast tend to be indifferent or hostile to traditional cultures and traditional religion and morality. Following Mill, they tend to see tradition and religion as restrictions on liberty and hindrances to greater social and political equality.
These leftist liberal theorists would not only include Mill, but T.H. Green, John Dewey, and John Rawls. These writers combine some elements of classical liberalism with socialism.
Contemporary classical liberals would include F.A. Hayek, Robert Nozick, and Milton Friedman. They are considered conservative because they are trying to conserve or preserve the original liberal tradition that can be traced back to Locke and the U.S. Founders. They clearly reject an active role for the State in achieving actual equality because such extensive and intrusive actions by the State violate individual liberty and place social planners over average people in power relationships.
With John Stuart Mill we find a bridge to another conception of liberty and equality that moves more toward socialism. Mill was highly influenced by his wife, Harriet Taylor, who was more of an egalitarian than a liberal. Here we find Mill arguing against classical notions of liberalism. Mill argued, contrary to Locke, that a just law is an encroachment on a person's liberty. He also contended that informal, non-coercive public opinion was a violation the rights of the individual as are traditional prohibitions, say on sexual morality or gender roles. In these moves to conceive of liberty in a broader way that simply overt coercion, Mill started to blur the line between private and public. Mill was also concerned about the distribution of wealth and income in ways that the Founders of the U.S. were not. Mill,at times, argued for a greater role for the State to actually achieve equality of result and actual liberty from others as opposed to a purely formal equality and liberty that the classical liberals sought.
These differences point to a fundamental divergence between classical and modern left liberals. Another such difference is the basic character of human nature. Locke and the U.S. Founders believed that humans were naturally selfish and dangerous in their exercise of power. For this reason, the U.S. Founders placed explicit restrictions on the State including a Bill of Rights, federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Jefferson's admonition that the power that the State has to do something for you also has the power to do something to you follows from the doctrine of human depravity found in Christianity.
Left liberals tend to view humans as naturally good or malleable. No one is born evil. So, with the proper education and proper social and economic environment, people can naturally cooperate and care for each other. Brutal punishment is inhumane and simply aggravates past injustices making those convicted of a crime even more alienated and victimized by the unequal social order. What is needed to avert criminal behavior is greater inclusion and benevolence. The mechanism that facilitates these moral advances can be the State. Concerns over abuse of power, at least in social welfare legislation and macroeconomic policy, are not only misplaced but can be unnecessary obstacles for social progress.
Classical liberals view of legitimate State action is quite different. Physical punishment is seen as necessary to control those who freely choose to violate the rights of others. The State is needed to contain human evil and establish justice by retribution fairly imposed. Preparation and engaging in war can be necessary to protect a country from the attacks of an international aggressor. In both domestic and international crime, the person(s) who initiate violence forfeit their rights and violence can be justly used against them.
Some classical liberals such as Jefferson, Tocqueville, and Benjamin Constant believed that liberty was supported in the indigenous cultures of free countries. All of the Founders of the U.S. believed that a necessary condition for liberty was moral self-control. Religion provided the average person with the moral training and habit to prepare them to live responsibly with their fellows. Leftist liberals in contrast tend to be indifferent or hostile to traditional cultures and traditional religion and morality. Following Mill, they tend to see tradition and religion as restrictions on liberty and hindrances to greater social and political equality.
These leftist liberal theorists would not only include Mill, but T.H. Green, John Dewey, and John Rawls. These writers combine some elements of classical liberalism with socialism.
Contemporary classical liberals would include F.A. Hayek, Robert Nozick, and Milton Friedman. They are considered conservative because they are trying to conserve or preserve the original liberal tradition that can be traced back to Locke and the U.S. Founders. They clearly reject an active role for the State in achieving actual equality because such extensive and intrusive actions by the State violate individual liberty and place social planners over average people in power relationships.
"I am a liberal, they are socialists." Milton Friedman distinguishing himself from leftist liberals.
by Tex in Tex January 17, 2008
Somebody stupid enough to think that Federal Government should have a lot more power than local governments.
They actually think that some stuffed-suit in Washington D.C. knows what's best for the citizens of every single different state, city, and town in the United States from a Federal viewpoint.
They actually think that some stuffed-suit in Washington D.C. knows what's best for the citizens of every single different state, city, and town in the United States from a Federal viewpoint.
That dumb liberal wants to raise my taxes here in Florida, to help pay for after school art classes for kids in Montana.
by Jimmy Fartpants February 10, 2006
If you want to be a good liberal, here's what you have to believe.
The words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance are Congress establishing a religion.
A cross on an isolated mountaintop is Congress establishing a religion.
All descendents of slave and conquistadors are downtrodden and oppressed, an unable to find meaningful work. To help them, we must raise taxes on working people and give the poor folks entitlements.
The police are able to protect all citizens from Pachucos and other criminals, so we should repeal the Second Amendment.
Amos 'n' Andy is a very bad show and you should never watch it. If you watch it, you will have an irresistable urge to put on a bed sheet and lynch some guys of color.
All guns are intrinsically bad. A gun sitting in a bureau draw is able to go off and shoot people.
Straight white males are the cause of all America's trouble, so we should raise their taxes.
Quean Hillary knows what is best for me, so I should vote for her.
It takes a village to raise a child. But no Christians or straight white males should live in that village.
All children are wards of the state.
A diverse workforce is better than a skilled workforce.
A diverse student body is better than a literate and diligent student body.
The best man for the job is a woman.
A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.
The words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance are Congress establishing a religion.
A cross on an isolated mountaintop is Congress establishing a religion.
All descendents of slave and conquistadors are downtrodden and oppressed, an unable to find meaningful work. To help them, we must raise taxes on working people and give the poor folks entitlements.
The police are able to protect all citizens from Pachucos and other criminals, so we should repeal the Second Amendment.
Amos 'n' Andy is a very bad show and you should never watch it. If you watch it, you will have an irresistable urge to put on a bed sheet and lynch some guys of color.
All guns are intrinsically bad. A gun sitting in a bureau draw is able to go off and shoot people.
Straight white males are the cause of all America's trouble, so we should raise their taxes.
Quean Hillary knows what is best for me, so I should vote for her.
It takes a village to raise a child. But no Christians or straight white males should live in that village.
All children are wards of the state.
A diverse workforce is better than a skilled workforce.
A diverse student body is better than a literate and diligent student body.
The best man for the job is a woman.
A woman without a man is like a fish without a bicycle.
Stuckney the Soccer Mom is a liberal. She exercised her constitional rights by aborting a male fetus. She wants Quean Hillary to take things away from her and raise her taxes.
by Delisious Tuna Wanda September 27, 2007
In a nutshell, the belief that the world is more important than any one nation, that individuals are more important than any group, and that it is the duty of those with much to give to those who have little. See also what every UD editor is.
In a non-political context, liberal just means "a lot"
In a non-political context, liberal just means "a lot"
Don't be afraid to get liberal with the bullets: we've got way too many as it is. Just spray n' pray!
by Treima May 8, 2006
By definition, a liberal is, and always will be, a hypocrite. Liberals are the very basis of sin, and I hope that someday, we can all be free of their wining and crying.
(In a house, there is random crying and noise)
Tom: Mary, get the baby to shut up!
Mary: Sorry, honey, a liberal just showed up at the door.
Tom: Mary, get the baby to shut up!
Mary: Sorry, honey, a liberal just showed up at the door.
by IRobot7474 March 25, 2007
A political "philosophy" which dictates:
-that the individual subordinate himself to big government
-people should be judged and dealt with according to their race (i.e. affirmative action)
-people who cannot or will not provide for themselves are entitled to the wealth of those who DO produce and earn a living
-The Bible should be banned, along with any display of religiosity--except in an election year, or you're Rev. Al Sharpton
-9/11 never happened, terrorist are entitled to Constitutional rights, and that killing terrorists creates more terrorists
-It is immoral to keep the money you earn, but perfectly moral to receive the money others have earned
-Most important, liberalism dictates that one despise America and everything it has stood for since its beginning--which was made possible only through raping, pillaging, and spreading small pox on blankets.
-that the individual subordinate himself to big government
-people should be judged and dealt with according to their race (i.e. affirmative action)
-people who cannot or will not provide for themselves are entitled to the wealth of those who DO produce and earn a living
-The Bible should be banned, along with any display of religiosity--except in an election year, or you're Rev. Al Sharpton
-9/11 never happened, terrorist are entitled to Constitutional rights, and that killing terrorists creates more terrorists
-It is immoral to keep the money you earn, but perfectly moral to receive the money others have earned
-Most important, liberalism dictates that one despise America and everything it has stood for since its beginning--which was made possible only through raping, pillaging, and spreading small pox on blankets.
I hate America and everything it stands for; I'm rooting for the terrorists; I hate religious people; you should give me your money because I have less of it than you do; I have never actually read the United States Constitution; therefore I must be a liberal.
by Showers September 29, 2006
One who cares for America and wishes to preserve the ideals of this nation's founders, all progressive men in their day.
Ben Franklin owned a Cannabis farm and George Washington was known to toke up as well. Plus, they wrote the Bill of Rights. They were liberals. They would start a riot if they could see how their ideals are getting assraped by the current government
by Jonzo the Weasel May 11, 2006