What is a liberal? Liberal is the term given to those politicians or supporters who are “Left” of center, supporting the preservation of the existing order, favoring civil liberties, and supporting the use of public resources to promote social change in a free-market society. “Political” liberals tend to favor greater federal power to remedy social inequities, while “cultural” liberals tend to support feminist causes, homosexual rights, and similar freedoms of personal choice and behavior. Modern American political liberalism is widely perceived to support affirmative action programs; abortion rights; government social programs such as welfare, national health care, unemployment benefits, and retirement programs; strong environmental regulations; trade unions and strong regulation of business; and animal rights. Of the two main political parties, the Democrats are considered to be more liberal.

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