These days Kerry is called a liberal, that to me is really really weird. Liberal as i always understood it, until sometime between last American election and this one when the word got hijacked, meant Libertarian ie right wing economics and complete social freedom.
As a white male coming from upper-middle class suberbia who smokes a bit of pot and is basically happy to live and let live this idea is really appealing.
How did liberal come to mean leftist economics and ambivalent social policies?
What does the word Liberal mean?
What does the word Liberal mean?
-Dale Jury
Liberal has always meant open minded, progressive, and socially aware in politcs, as far as I can tell. I don't think Liberal was ever associated with conservative economics, as conservative economics is directly at odds with a liberal agenda.
Libertarian is derived from the word Liberty, not Liberal.
Libertarian is derived from the word Liberty, not Liberal.
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HighDemonslayer
- Egyptian Footgod
- Posts: 1070
- Joined: 17 Jun 2003 19:34
- Location: Arizona
Whenever you hear the word "progressive", that should make you want to make sure your gun is loaded.
The true meaning of "Liberal" in politics has changed significantly in 50 or so years.
President Kennedy was a liberal in his time. But his policies(like tax cuts) might be called conservative today.
Oxford American Dictionary 1980:
liberal- (...) 5. tolerant, open minded, especially in religion or politics.
This definition kind of fits our thread.
It may have been true in the past, but many liberals are extremely intolerant,based on religion and politics.
-n
The true meaning of "Liberal" in politics has changed significantly in 50 or so years.
President Kennedy was a liberal in his time. But his policies(like tax cuts) might be called conservative today.
Oxford American Dictionary 1980:
liberal- (...) 5. tolerant, open minded, especially in religion or politics.
This definition kind of fits our thread.
It may have been true in the past, but many liberals are extremely intolerant,based on religion and politics.
-n
Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?
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-nathan
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-nathan
Great so now I'm a liberal 
I am the most intolerant Bastard on this forum, and I claim the set of Republican and flash GW like a gang sign. Hollar!!!!!
Seriously though, I am also seeing the switch and am like huh???
This is the first I have heard of Liberterian and Liberal being misunderstood. I always thought of Liberterian as another way to get on the ballot, never took them seriously. Liberals are ok, we just like to throw that word around at election time to make them seem bad for some reason, but they have the best of intentions for all humans. Unlike my republican brethren who are simply out to protect their own. I don't mean to sound racists or elitist, but in a lot of ways the republicans take care of their like minded fellows.
I am hoping to see a more liberal shift in future republican politicians, but until then ...
I am the most intolerant Bastard on this forum, and I claim the set of Republican and flash GW like a gang sign. Hollar!!!!!
Seriously though, I am also seeing the switch and am like huh???
This is the first I have heard of Liberterian and Liberal being misunderstood. I always thought of Liberterian as another way to get on the ballot, never took them seriously. Liberals are ok, we just like to throw that word around at election time to make them seem bad for some reason, but they have the best of intentions for all humans. Unlike my republican brethren who are simply out to protect their own. I don't mean to sound racists or elitist, but in a lot of ways the republicans take care of their like minded fellows.
I am hoping to see a more liberal shift in future republican politicians, but until then ...
Go out and shred already.
~Damon Mathews
~Damon Mathews
Word Origin
my Poli Sci told me,
that the word 'Liberal' was originally an economic term. It reffered to the relaxing of the government's role on merchant activities. This was when Mercantilism was big and Western European states guided merchant activities with the goal of accumulating more wealth than their neighbors. Merchants resenting all this state control wanted their activities to be 'liberated' from state control because they felt they produced wealth rather than the government.
This kinda shows why the US govt is called a 'Liberal Democracy' because its economics are liberal (esp. with the protection of private property) and its citizens vote for leaders.
that the word 'Liberal' was originally an economic term. It reffered to the relaxing of the government's role on merchant activities. This was when Mercantilism was big and Western European states guided merchant activities with the goal of accumulating more wealth than their neighbors. Merchants resenting all this state control wanted their activities to be 'liberated' from state control because they felt they produced wealth rather than the government.
This kinda shows why the US govt is called a 'Liberal Democracy' because its economics are liberal (esp. with the protection of private property) and its citizens vote for leaders.
It's set up like a deck of cards,
theyre sendin us to early graves
for the diamonds
they use a pair of clubs to beat the spades(ratm)
Cloud9-Juan Rangel
theyre sendin us to early graves
for the diamonds
they use a pair of clubs to beat the spades(ratm)
Cloud9-Juan Rangel
Thanks Juan, by saying "right wing economics" i might have misdirected our thoughts somewhat. Right wingers these days may still often talk about small government but basically they're lieing or dreaming.
I've never taken economics as a subject but i like the idea that since the government doesn't have the right to tell me what to smoke they don't have the right to tell me who to hire.
I've never taken economics as a subject but i like the idea that since the government doesn't have the right to tell me what to smoke they don't have the right to tell me who to hire.
-Dale Jury