liberalism

lib·er·al·ism  (lbr--lzm, lbr-)

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.

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liber·al·ist n.

liber·al·istic (-lstk) adj.

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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: Politics

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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

Thesaurus

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)

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liberalism

noun progressivism, radicalism, humanitarianism, libertarianism, freethinking, latitudinarianism