Travlyr
01-09-2011, 12:22 PM
What do people mean when they use the terms left, right, liberal, conservative, or progressive politically? When I read an article or post where the author uses these terms, my brain generally goes into default; "What do they mean by that?" Yet, I see it all the time.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the terms thusly:
I. Left wing:
the leftist division of a group (as a political party)
Example:
His nomination is supported by the party's left wing but opposed by the right wing.
<the left wing has lost considerable influence in the party, which is now aggressively courting political moderates>
II. Right wing:
the rightist division of a group or party
Example:
His nomination is supported by the party's left wing but opposed by the right wing.
III. Liberalism
the quality or state of being liberal
a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity
a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard
a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties
such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (as those involving race, gender, or class)
of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives
VI. Conservative:
of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism
of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism
tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions
the principles and policies of a Conservative party
disposition in politics to preserve what is established
a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change;
such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)
the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change
V. Progressive
the principles, beliefs, or practices of progressive
the political and economic doctrines advocated by the Progressives
the theories of progressive education
of, relating to, or characterized by progress
making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities
of, relating to, or constituting an educational theory marked by emphasis on the individual child, informality of classroom procedure, and encouragement of self-expression
of, relating to, or characterized by progression
moving forward or onward
Do liberals really believe in a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard?
Are conservatives really rather rigid and traditional, or are they for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs?
Are progressives the only ones who advocate making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities?
Are liberals left, conservatives right, and progressives moderates?
If so, then I must be a left, right, progressive, liberal, conservative constitutional republican.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the terms thusly:
I. Left wing:
the leftist division of a group (as a political party)
Example:
His nomination is supported by the party's left wing but opposed by the right wing.
<the left wing has lost considerable influence in the party, which is now aggressively courting political moderates>
II. Right wing:
the rightist division of a group or party
Example:
His nomination is supported by the party's left wing but opposed by the right wing.
III. Liberalism
the quality or state of being liberal
a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity
a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard
a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties
such a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities (as those involving race, gender, or class)
of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives
VI. Conservative:
of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism
of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism
tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions
the principles and policies of a Conservative party
disposition in politics to preserve what is established
a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change;
such a philosophy calling for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs (as retirement income or health-care coverage)
the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change
V. Progressive
the principles, beliefs, or practices of progressive
the political and economic doctrines advocated by the Progressives
the theories of progressive education
of, relating to, or characterized by progress
making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities
of, relating to, or constituting an educational theory marked by emphasis on the individual child, informality of classroom procedure, and encouragement of self-expression
of, relating to, or characterized by progression
moving forward or onward
Do liberals really believe in a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard?
Are conservatives really rather rigid and traditional, or are they for lower taxes, limited government regulation of business and investing, a strong national defense, and individual financial responsibility for personal needs?
Are progressives the only ones who advocate making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or opportunities?
Are liberals left, conservatives right, and progressives moderates?
If so, then I must be a left, right, progressive, liberal, conservative constitutional republican.