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Re-Definition: I am a new liberal. |
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I am a new liberal. I’m not afraid to say it.
The term liberal has been something of a dirty word in politics ever since the backlash against the counter-cultural revolution of the 1960’s began, starting in the late 1970’s. More recently, it has been used as an attack by Republican candidates and pundits, having a devastating effect on the John Kerry when he was derisively labeled a “Massachusetts liberal” in 2004. The insulting names are easy to recall once you think about it: “tax and spend liberal,” “bleeding heart liberal,” even the great JFK was attacked for being a liberal.
Today, only 20% of Americans are willing to identify themselves as liberal (free registration required), and none of the presidential candidates are really screaming it either. However, the public remains committed towards liberal ideals, even though they prefer to call them “progressive” or “centrist.” According to Media Matters, who released a report covering public opinion surveys dating back to 1976, American politics has continually shifted to the left. Here are just a few key examples:
- Way over half of Americans believe we need a larger government to handle the complex problems facing America. Only 33% believe the free market can handle all of our economic issues.
- Even more to the heart of the matter, 69% of Americans currently feel the government should help out those who can’t help themselves, a clear vote for some kind of social service system.
- 84% of Americans support an increase in the minimum wage, and almost 60% feel Bush’s tax cuts, one of the few domestic goals he has been able to achieve, were not worth it.
- On social issues, a majority of Americans support stem cell research, Roe vs. Wade, and gays in the military. A growing minority support gay adoption and gay marriage.
- Americans favor stricter gun laws and prefer to cut crime by solving the social problems that cause it, as opposed to simply jailing all of our criminal elements.
- Americans favor higher taxes and increased conservation to protect the environment.
Clearly, liberalism is alive and well in thought if not in name. Why, then, do Republican candidates keep getting elected by labeling their opponents as liberals? In my mind, it all has to do with branding, if you will, and I think it is time for a redefinition to take back the liberal moniker, at least on a personal level. Therefore, I declare myself a new liberal, and here are my main points of belief that differ from some popular conceptions of liberalism.
I believe in the free market, unlike some liberals, who remain deeply skeptical. The free market has tremendous power to create wealth and prosperity. We should encourage our citizens to use the free market to build personal wealth. However, management of that market is sometimes necessary. The free market sometimes does not provide the financial incentive for change at the speed or in the direction that we require. The current climate change issue is a perfect example. If we wait for the price of oil to lead the way towards alternative fuels, it will very likely be too late to avert global warming related disasters. However, I believe the path for change lies in market intervention, and not by circumventing the market altogether. Carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems are better than mandating conservation or change outright. I believe that we should create an economic system that will achieve our goals and let the individual decide how to manage their life within that system.
I believe that globalization is not necessarily a force for evil and inequality. Unlike leading liberal rhetoric, I believe it does not have to increase the gap between rich and poor, and it does not have to exploit workers in poorer countries. What’s more, I believe globalization is as unchangeable as the weather. Instead of trying to hold back the tide, at a detriment to our economy, we should be exporting American economic values along with our goods, labor, and currency. We should pressure our trading partners to adopt fair trade policies and we should encourage worker organization in foreign lands. We should be encouraging our domestic workers to participate in the global economy instead of standing by and complaining as traditional liberal jobs are exported overseas. Also, I believe we should encourage other nations to compete in the service economy, and we should encourage technological innovations as well. I believe in the connectivity of the planet, and so big successes in foreign countries help me too, and I believe Americans can have a hand in leading those big successes. I believe that the American economy can help uplift the global economy, and in turn make life better for all humans.
I believe in the power of technology. I believe it can ease our lives, bring people out of poverty, and create fantastic growth, wealth, and prosperity around the world. I believe the human race’s greatest asset is its imagination, and that technological growth should be supported.
I do not believe in total economic equality, even as an idealistic goal. I believe people who are successful deserve to enjoy their success, just not too much. I believe we should strive to narrow the gap between the haves and the have nots, not eliminate it. That said, I believe, like most other liberals, that it is crucially important to give all citizens an equal chance to pull themselves up in society. Without equal access to education, nutrition, healthcare, and social programs, the unequal distribution of wealth in society does not represent individual success and a meritocracy, as it should, but instead represents institutionalized inequality and a simple lack of fairness.
I believe we should not be afraid of change. Big labor, the farming industry, and the middle class, all liberal bastions, are never going to look the same again, and it is not worth fighting those changes. I embrace our new service oriented, technologically reliant economy. We should look for ways to mold these new industries and economies in such a way as to uphold the liberal ideal of helping your fellow man. I believe we, as Americans, should embrace these changes as they come, use our imaginations to make them positive, and use the power of our economy and government to make the transition easy and pleasant. I believe that we can rise to any challenge thrown at us and I believe we should look forward to these obstacles as tools for improving our, and the world’s, lives.
I believe in diplomacy and I believe in the UN. In today’s world of instant communication and global community, the misunderstandings that led to wars in previous eras are no longer tolerable. I believe that great good and great change can come from using economic and diplomatic pressures to affect so-called “rogue nations.” I believe armed conflict is not necessary, and I believe the international community has the power, the moral authority, and the will to reform wayward states and help the oppressed that are suffering under them. I don’t believe the popular meme that 9/11 somehow changed everything. Rather, I believe that 9/11, while a tragedy, was a reaction to interventionist US policy abroad. I believe the US should not, under any circumstances, police the world. This includes, but is not limited to, pursuing regime change, financing native revolutionary elements, and conducting espionage operations. The UN is the only power that has the authority to police the world community. We should never do anything unilaterally, and the UN should act transparently.
Domestically too, I believe in transparency. Liberals are just as beholden to special interests, and just as addicted to campaign donations, as their conservative brethren. I believe that government should represent all people, even those without the means to attract the attention of those in power, and so I believe in publicly financed elections. Campaign advertising should be eliminated, all candidates should receive complimentary and equal coverage on media outlets, industry and political action committees should not be able to donate money in any way, and individuals should be allowed to show monetary support only in extremely small denominations. Campaigns should be less costly, lobbying should be illegal, and campaign money should be completely transparent.
This is my personal declaration of belief. I know, of course, that none of these ideas are particularly revolutionary. Still, I find this exercise useful in that providing a clear definition allows me and others to understand politics and our place in them on a slightly different level. What’s more, I think this definition of liberalism puts me in line with a greater majority of the nation and prepares us for the coming future, hopefully proceeding under a liberal majority, irrespective of political party. I’d like to hear your personal take on the definition of liberalism, and your ideas on how to take back the term from those who have smeared its good name.
You wrote “Liberals are just as beholden to special interests.” While this is true of the Democrats, this isn’t true for ALL liberals. The libs who don’t accept corporate donations and special interest funding certainly don’t get very far, at least today… Just thought I’d point that out. Maybe it’s time to reclaim democracy?
I like what you have to say about the economy. Liberals and conservatives alike need to accept the basic structural changes that are taking place, and adopt a forward-looking mentality. Liberals who think we’re living in 1912, 1937, or 1968 are lost. The battles we’re fighting now are categorically different.
Yeah, you are right. This would be a redefinition that I would hope Democrats would use if they decide to start calling themselves liberal again. I think this is a major sticking point though, as Democrats (who are mostly liberals, even if they don’t call themselves that) are very addicted to campaign finance how it works now. I think that really needs to change to recapture the liberal moniker, as underhanded campaign finance goes against just about every core liberal value.
Very well thought out. Excellent read.
I often point people to dictionary.com, and I ask them to read the definition of the word LIBERAL, and for them and then tell me what is wrong with that word, or what is wrong with someone being a liberal.
The word LIBERAL has been demonized intentionally. This will be corrected each time you, me and anyone who agrees with the basic premise of your article simply tells those who express a knee jerk negative reaction to that word, that there simply nothing wrong with it, and state your case as simply as you can.
The “dictionary definition method” works best for me.
Yeah, I think the dictionary definition approach is a good one. In my mind, it is all about marketing. We are not battling about the definition of liberal, just about its connotations and cultural context. Honestly, I’m not married to the word. Progressive is just as good for me. My issue is we need to defend against these kind of attacks, otherwise we’ll have to change our label every presidential election. Conservative is a badge of honor for some, and even though it might be amended (compassionate conservative), the GOP has stuck with the same name for a while and defended it, something I think liberals should learn to do.