I'm intrigued by something, and I'm kind of looking for an answer.
You see, as a History student I've been (and will be a lot, lot more) stoned to near-death by the history of the development of 'Liberalism' of the political-economical kind. The kind of liberalism that's pro-total free trade, anti-government influence in political and social-economical matters and believes that if the Invisible Hand is allowed to reign free, all will be well for everyone. As you can see, they've clubbed me like a seal with Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations.
I've also been forced to study (I actually enjoy it, but I want to make my study look epic) the arrival of social-liberalism, which revolves around the ultimate liberal adagium of 'individuality is the greatest good', and tries to create an atmosphere in which every individual can developh his or her skills and talents to fulfill his/her potential.
Yet, whenever I read an American discussion about politics, I see people calling the Democrats 'liberal'. That's when my brain shuts down, and I wonder where my tedious readings of Adam Smith and other liberal philosophers went wrong.
The American Democrats, to me as a European, seem more akin to the social-democrats, not liberals. Yet... Americans call them liberals.
Why?
You see, as a History student I've been (and will be a lot, lot more) stoned to near-death by the history of the development of 'Liberalism' of the political-economical kind. The kind of liberalism that's pro-total free trade, anti-government influence in political and social-economical matters and believes that if the Invisible Hand is allowed to reign free, all will be well for everyone. As you can see, they've clubbed me like a seal with Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations.
I've also been forced to study (I actually enjoy it, but I want to make my study look epic) the arrival of social-liberalism, which revolves around the ultimate liberal adagium of 'individuality is the greatest good', and tries to create an atmosphere in which every individual can developh his or her skills and talents to fulfill his/her potential.
Yet, whenever I read an American discussion about politics, I see people calling the Democrats 'liberal'. That's when my brain shuts down, and I wonder where my tedious readings of Adam Smith and other liberal philosophers went wrong.
The American Democrats, to me as a European, seem more akin to the social-democrats, not liberals. Yet... Americans call them liberals.
Why?
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