"No, I see that you are hopelessly confused as to what liberalism actually means. It is not today's fashion in ideas, which is what you seem to think."
Progress and reform, Nadine, are forward looking- I know conservatives like to define progress as going back to the "values" of the past, but that's a conservative thing, and unless you want to change the meaning of the word liberal, and call an apple an orange, that just isn't going to work.
I think you are the one confused about the definitions- take a look at the top definition, and the other bolded one:
lib·er·al /'l?b?r?l, 'l?br?l/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[lib-er-uhl, lib-ruhl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.
4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
6. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.
7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
8. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
9. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.
10. given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.
11. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.
12. of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.
13. of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.
–noun 14. a person of liberal principles or views, esp. in politics or religion.
15. (often initial capital letter) a member of a liberal party in politics, esp. of the Liberal party in Great Britain.
". favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs. "
Once reform happens, and becomes accepted, liberals move on to the next issue. That's why conservatives don't like them very much- they are an unsettling moving horde, always trying to change things. In the past that might have included slavery, getting women the vote, rights for people with disabilities, allowing black children access to schools that white children attended, providing a safety net for older Americans- now those battles are won and the troops move on, so the liberals move on. Although I grant you, there may be a reprise of the school desegregation issue down the line.
"Universal human rights", whatever those are, didn't stay static with our notions of the 50's (at least not for most of us.) So today's liberals recognize gay rights, for example, since that is a battle not yet won.
You don't seem to like multiculturalism very much. It means many things to many people. I'm not really sure what you mean when you use the word, but it's obviously a bugaboo for you. But Sharia law is pretty conservative, and I don't see liberals embracing that- so since you obviously worry about many things, I think you can cross that one off your list. |
