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In reply to the discussion: What is the difference between the terms "liberal" and "progressive" in American politics? [View all]xchrom
(108,903 posts)7. in the spirit nraleighliberal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_liberalism
Classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is a political ideology, a branch of liberalism which advocates civil liberties and political freedom with limited government under the rule of law and generally promotes a laissez-faire economic policy.[1][2][3]
Classical liberalism developed in the 19th century in Europe and the United States. Although classical liberalism built on ideas that had already arisen by the end of the 18th century, it advocated a specific kind of society, government and public policy as a response to the Industrial Revolution and urbanization.[4] Notable individuals whose ideas have contributed to classical liberalism include John Locke,[5] Jean-Baptiste Say, Thomas Malthus, and David Ricardo. It drew on the free-market economics of Adam Smith and on a belief in natural law,[6] utilitarianism,[7] and progress.[8]
The term classical liberalism was applied in retrospect to distinguish earlier 19th-century liberalism from the newer social liberalism.[9]
There was a revival of interest in the ideas of classical liberalism in the 20th century, led by Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman,[10] who argued that government should be as small as possible in order to allow the exercise of individual freedom. Some call this modern development "neo-classical liberalism", because it holds political views similar to classical liberalism. Others use the term "classical liberalism" to refer to all liberalism before the 20th century, not to designate any particular set of political views, and therefore see all modern developments as being, by definition, not classical.[11]
Libertarianism has been used in modern times as a substitute for the phrase "neo-classical liberalism", leading to some confusion. The identification of libertarianism with neo-classical liberalism primarily occurs in the United States,[12] where some conservatives and right-libertarians use the term classical liberalism to describe their belief in minimal government and a free-market economy.[13][14][15]
Classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is a political ideology, a branch of liberalism which advocates civil liberties and political freedom with limited government under the rule of law and generally promotes a laissez-faire economic policy.[1][2][3]
Classical liberalism developed in the 19th century in Europe and the United States. Although classical liberalism built on ideas that had already arisen by the end of the 18th century, it advocated a specific kind of society, government and public policy as a response to the Industrial Revolution and urbanization.[4] Notable individuals whose ideas have contributed to classical liberalism include John Locke,[5] Jean-Baptiste Say, Thomas Malthus, and David Ricardo. It drew on the free-market economics of Adam Smith and on a belief in natural law,[6] utilitarianism,[7] and progress.[8]
The term classical liberalism was applied in retrospect to distinguish earlier 19th-century liberalism from the newer social liberalism.[9]
There was a revival of interest in the ideas of classical liberalism in the 20th century, led by Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman,[10] who argued that government should be as small as possible in order to allow the exercise of individual freedom. Some call this modern development "neo-classical liberalism", because it holds political views similar to classical liberalism. Others use the term "classical liberalism" to refer to all liberalism before the 20th century, not to designate any particular set of political views, and therefore see all modern developments as being, by definition, not classical.[11]
Libertarianism has been used in modern times as a substitute for the phrase "neo-classical liberalism", leading to some confusion. The identification of libertarianism with neo-classical liberalism primarily occurs in the United States,[12] where some conservatives and right-libertarians use the term classical liberalism to describe their belief in minimal government and a free-market economy.[13][14][15]
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What is the difference between the terms "liberal" and "progressive" in American politics? [View all]
UnrepentantLiberal
Dec 2012
OP
The term Progressive goes back to the turn of the 20th Century. It denoted substantial reform
leveymg
Dec 2012
#52
Actually, Liberal is actually a terribly non descriptive term. It means UNREGULATED.
KittyWampus
Dec 2012
#58
Funny, you mention Dr. King's "transformation" into a "real" threat ...
1StrongBlackMan
Dec 2012
#50
I've never thought of liberal philosophy as far as how it relates to governing this country.
UnrepentantLiberal
Dec 2012
#12
Amazing, you offer the actual definition, and instantly folks come to say 'I don't like the real one
Bluenorthwest
Dec 2012
#20
I actually was not referring to you, so I guess your leap is also amazing.
Bluenorthwest
Dec 2012
#37
That's simply incorrect. Downthread, someone has the historical definition of "liberal":
Romulox
Dec 2012
#41
LOL. You used a term incorrectly, and then proceeded to lecture others ad nauseum.
Romulox
Dec 2012
#55
A "laissez-faire economic policy" is the economics of the hard right, for a start.
Romulox
Dec 2012
#60
What's the difference, then, between a "Progressive" and a "Revolutionary"? Not
coalition_unwilling
Dec 2012
#42
I've noted that Thom Hartmann seems to use the term "progressive" more often. n/t
NRaleighLiberal
Dec 2012
#22
Originally, "progressives" were Republicans and northern Democrats around 1900
Recursion
Dec 2012
#40
Liberal simply means progressive & isn't specific. In Europe, Neo-Liberal means unregulated markets.
KittyWampus
Dec 2012
#59