liberalism
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lib·er·al·ism
(lĭb′ər-ə-lĭz′əm, lĭb′rə-)n.
1. The state or quality of being liberal.
2.
a. A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.
b. often Liberalism The tenets or policies of a Liberal party.
3. An economic theory in favor of laissez-faire, the free market, and the gold standard.
4. Liberalism
a. A 19th-century Protestant movement that favored free intellectual inquiry, stressed the ethical and humanitarian content of Christianity, and de-emphasized dogmatic theology.
b. A 19th-century Roman Catholic movement that favored political democracy and ecclesiastical reform but was theologically orthodox.
lib′er·al·ist n.
lib′er·al·is′tic (-lĭs′tĭk) adj.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
liberalism
(ˈlɪbərəˌlɪzəm; ˈlɪbrə-)n
1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) liberal opinions, practices, or politics
2. (Protestantism) a movement in modern Protestantism that rejects biblical authority
ˈliberalist n, adj
ˌliberalˈistic adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
lib•er•al•ism
(ˈlɪb ər əˌlɪz əm, ˈlɪb rə-)n.
1. the quality or state of being liberal, as in behavior or attitude.
2. a political and social philosophy advocating individual freedom, representational forms of government, progress and reform, and protection of civil liberties.
3. (sometimes cap.) the principles and practices of a liberal party in politics.
[1810–20]
lib′er•al•ist, n., adj.
lib`er•al•is′tic, adj.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
liberalism
1. a political or social philosophy advocating the f reedom of the individual, parliamentary legislatures, governmental assurances of civil liberties and individual rights, and nonviolent modification of institutions to permit continued individual and social progress.
2. the principles and practice of a liberal political party. — liberalist, n., adj. — liberalistic, adj.
See also: Politics2. the principles and practice of a liberal political party. — liberalist, n., adj. — liberalistic, adj.
a movement in modern Protestantism that emphasizes freedom from tradition and authority, the adjustment of religious beliefs to scientific conceptions, and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity. — liberalist, n., adj. — liberalistic, adj.
See also: Protestantism-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | liberalism - a political orientation that favors social progress by reform and by changing laws rather than by revolution ideology, political orientation, political theory - an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation neoliberalism - a political orientation originating in the 1960s; blends liberal political views with an emphasis on economic growth |
2. | liberalism - an economic theory advocating free competition and a self-regulating market economic theory - (economics) a theory of commercial activities (such as the production and consumption of goods) |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
liberalism
noun progressivism, radicalism, humanitarianism, libertarianism, freethinking, latitudinarianism He was concerned over growing liberalism in the Church.
Quotations
"By liberalism I don't mean the creed of any party or any century. I mean a generosity of spirit, a tolerance of others, an attempt to comprehend otherness, a commitment to the rule of law, a high ideal of the worth and dignity of man, a repugnance for authoritarianism and a love of freedom" [Alan Paton Lecture at Yale University]
"By liberalism I don't mean the creed of any party or any century. I mean a generosity of spirit, a tolerance of others, an attempt to comprehend otherness, a commitment to the rule of law, a high ideal of the worth and dignity of man, a repugnance for authoritarianism and a love of freedom" [Alan Paton Lecture at Yale University]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
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