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What does liberalism mean to you?

A few days ago I made a mistake: I bought a book with the title "Liberalism - the 10 basic principles" (by a Spanish author). But after a few pages I realized: the book is not about liberalism, but about libertarianism.
Liberalism , that's to me thinkers like Isaiah Berlin, John Rawls or Judith Shklar (and I 'd agree with a lot they wrote); liberatarianism is Ludwig von Mises or Ron Paul (men I do not like at all).

I suppose that the vast majority on this site would self- identify as liberals, here's a question to y'all: What are the most important aspects and principles of liberalism for you?

#principles #liberals #book
Matias 8 June 18
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0

Level 8

I'm old classic liberal, this new liberalism and nationalism mainly just divides and conquer people for the super rich and their political slave masters.

Respect each person's Individualism is a far better way for self and other individuals for their well being.

What do I know I'm an anarchist For more good , uncommon and common sense than I can express.

1

Level 7

I consider myself a liberal though I'm not fond of social labels that place me in a defined box. For me, being liberal is about consideration for what's best for society as a whole but also making sure that those who are marginalized by society get protected. It's about taking care of those who need the most help rather than helping the richest among us. Its about equality and equity and justice.

2

Level 7

For myself I see liberalism as being open to ideas and acts which differ from what you currently know or do. To let those who engage in those acts and ideologies do so without prejudice.
As such, social freedom based within social norms.

2

Level 8

I am a centrist who leans left. Trump cultists call me "radical left." I think the far left has moved closer to the center. The spectrum keeps changing.

Deb57 Level 8 June 18, 2022
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2

Level 8

As you probably know, the definition of liberalism is different between the US and Europe.

Ryo1 Level 8 June 18, 2022
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Fair enough. To me, being liberal means minding my own business (i.e. being responsible for and in control of my own life) while respecting/acknowlegding opinions and actions of others that are different from my own; being open to new ideas and consider changes if they are deemed beneficial for me, for the ones I care about, and for the common good.

2

Level 9

Interesting. I just took the Pew survey to find that I am a Democratic Mainstay. I have a Libertarian membership card in my pocket and never vote that way. My views are Progressive like Bernie and AOC and I do not identify with either of our major political parties.

2

Level 9

MYOB...Minding My Own Business.

You beat me to it. Lol

@Matias You don't take the phrase 'mind one's own business' literally. It means more like respecting each other's privacy, not imposing your ideology on others and vice versa, that sort of meaning.

@Matias if you ask for help, with rent or social justice, or whatever, then it becomes my business...your idea is i'm suggesting being complely passive no matter what? Fool!
1

Level 9

I don't know. The label has had so many different and often contradictory meanings, from both the political left and the political right, that it is hard to nail down a single thread. Even if you are talking about self defined liberalism on the left only, then some see it as the same thing as socialism, ( Which synonym they share with their critics on the right. ) some mean left wing without being socialist, ( Whatever that means. ) some see it as moderate socialism, and some as non authoritarian socialism. I would go with the last, but would not be prepared to argue the point if someone wanted to tell me different, its only a label after all.

@SpikeTalon That is very true. I would term you a thinker. The surest sign of a thinker is the inability to fit labels, to them.
2

Level 8

What does liberalism mean to me? Off the top of my head, I'd say

  1. rule of law
  2. due process
  3. democracy
  4. freedom of speech
  5. freedom of/from religion
  6. right to privacy
  7. free enterprise
  8. regulatory framework
  9. environmental protection
  10. social safety net
  11. multiculturalism
  12. egalitarianism

Not necessarily in that order.
😎

Too bad many people who identify as liberal are in fact skeptical of items 1, 4, and 7.

@Alienbeing So I've found as well, but i.m.o.
Without #1 the others won't happen.
Without #4, the choice of law will not be discussed in a meaningful way.
Without #7 progress and innovation will stagnate. But #7 should do no harm.
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