liberals

Liberals are adherents of liberalism, a political and moral philosophy focused on liberty, equality, and the consent of the governed. Liberalism emphasizes civil liberties, the rule of law, and equal political rights, and it typically supports a constitutional framework, freedom of expression, religious tolerance, and private property.

Core strands include classical liberalism, which emphasizes a minimal state, free markets, and individual rights; social liberalism, which accepts a more active state to provide social welfare and address inequality; and economic liberalism, focused on free trade and market competition. Some later strands, such as neoliberalism, stress deregulation and market-oriented reforms within a global economy.

Regionally, liberalism is understood differently. In much of Europe, liberal parties promote civil liberties and market-based economies and may sit in the center or center-right. In the United States, the term liberal has historically described proponents of limited government and individual rights but is today commonly associated with left-leaning policies, including social welfare and progressive taxation. In the United Kingdom, liberal traditions include the historic Liberal Party and the Liberal Democrats, who advocate civil liberties and social liberalism.

Liberals typically argue for the rule of law, pluralism, and democratic accountability, while debating the appropriate scope of government intervention, taxation, and social policy. They distinguish themselves from libertarianism, which favors more limited government, and from conservatism, which emphasizes tradition and social order.