Simple Simon’s Political Lexicon: Liberal
In one of our discussions, I hinted that our conversations might be expedited by agreeing to use certain words, e.g., liberal, conservative, radical, Marxist, traditionalist, culture/cultural, republican, democratic, in a precise manner that takes account of historical reality. The most obvious term with which to begin is the almost universally abused word “Iiberal.” Political Liberal: Someone who advocates liberty and individual autonomy as the ultimate good and seeks to weaken or eliminate all barriers and impediments that stand in the way of an individual’s quest for fulfillment. At different periods Liberals have opposed monarchy, established churches, aristocracy, tradition, and...