''This article discusses liberalism as a major worldwide political ideology, its development, and some of its many modern-day variations. For the ideology commonly referred to as liberalism in the United States today, see American liberalism. For other uses, see Liberal (disambiguation).

Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value.A: "'Liberalism' is defined as a social ethic that advocates liberty, and equality in general." - Coady, C. A. J. Distributive Justice, A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy, editors Goodin, Robert E. and Pettit, Philip. Blackwell Publishing, 1995, p.440. B: "Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end." - Lord Acton Traditionally, what was meant by "liberty" was the freedom of each individual to do as they pleased, provided they did not infringe on the liberty of others. This is often called classical liberalism. Another form of liberalism, often called social liberalism, holds that freedom requires what is sometimes called a "level playing field", that for people to be free they must be free from the unequal power of those born to wealth and high social status. Attempts to level the playing field include anti-discrimination laws, civil service examinations, universal education, affirmative action, and progressive taxation. A third form of liberalism, now almost universal in liberal democracies, holds that the government should provide for the general welfare. This sometimes includes a dole for the poor, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick, all supported by taxes. Classical liberals often strongly object to this kind of liberalism, asserting that the freedom of private property takes precedence over the personal freedom that depends on health, education, and a place to live; they claim that private charity does the job as well, or even better.

Classical liberals seek a society characterized by freedom of thought for individuals, limitations on coercive power, especially of government and religion, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market economy that supports relatively free private enterprise, and a transparent system of government. Modern liberals advocate a government in which the rights of minorities are protected. Compare for the latter aspect the Oxford Manifesto of 1947 of the Liberal International (Respect for the language, faith, laws and customs of national minorities), Oxford Manifesto of 1997 (We believe that close cooperation among democratic societies through global and regional organisations, within the framework of international law, of respect for human rights, the rights of national and ethnic minorities, and of a shared commitment to economic development worldwide, is the necessary foundation for world peace and for economic and environmental sustainability), the ELDR Electoral programme 1994 (Protecting the rights of minorities flows naturally from liberal policy, which seeks to ensure equal opportunities for everyone). In modern society, classical and social liberals favour a liberal democracy with open and fair elections, where all citizens have equal rights by law and equal opportunity. Compare the Oxford Manifesto of the Liberal International (These rights and conditions can be secured only by true democracy. True democracy is inseparable from political liberty and is based on the conscious, free and enlightened consent of the majority, expressed through a free and secret ballot, with due respect for the liberties and opinions of minorities).

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TalkLeft

Should "Good People" Be Prosecutors?
Jeralyn Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:32:00 -0500
George Washington Law Professor Paul Butler has a new book out, Let's Get Free: A Hip-Hop Theory of Justice. It's a book about why the U.S. is wrong to lock up so many people, and how we can safely reduce our incarceration rate. He devotes a chapter to an intriguing question: "Should Good People Be Prosecutors?" I agree with his answer: [More...] "Should Good People Be Prosecutors?" The answer is "no." As a young African-American man who had several unpleasant experiences with the police, I became a prosecutor hoping that I could make a difference. I went in as an "undercover brother" who hoped to change things from the inside. Instead, I found, the system changed me. In researching the book, I interviewed several progressive prosecutors who, like me, became disenchanted with the work. You're not really allowed to use the power that you have in a way that makes a big difference. Your main work, as a line prosecutor, is to put people in prison, and if you seem too uncool with that fact, you start to arouse suspicion. Becoming a prosecutor to help resolve unfairness in the criminal justice system is like enlisting in the army because you are opposed to the war in Afghanistan. It's like working as an oil refiner because you want to help the environment. Yes, you get to choose the toxic chemicals. Yes, they might let you keep one or two pristine bays untouched. Maybe if you do really good work as a low-level polluter, they might make you the head polluter. But rather than calling yourself an environmentalist, you should think of yourself as a polluter with a conscience.
The Benefits of Trying 9/11 Defendants in Federal Court
Jeralyn Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:23:04 -0500
Thomas Wilner, who represented some of the Guantanamo detainees in their babeas cases in the Supreme Court has an op-ed in todays' Wall St. Journal explaining why the Obama Administration made the correct call in deciding to prosecute the 9/11 detainees in federal court. What's truly frightening is the abundance of ignorant comments to his article.
Friday Football Open Thread
Big Tent Democrat Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:39:45 -0500
So you thought the football was over for the weekend? No it is just starting. Today, there are 13 college games. Here are my picks: Louisville (+3) over Rutgers. Temple (-3) over Ohio. Illinois (+21) over Cinncinati. Central Michigan (-13.5) over Western Illinois. Bowling Greeen (-7.5) over Toledo. Kent State (+3) over Buffalo. Akron (-16) over Eastern Michigan. Colorado State (-3) over Wyoming. Memphis (+17) over Tulsa. The big game in the SEC is the Iron Bowl - Alabama v. Auburn. The game is in Auburn. The Crimson Tide are already in the SEC Championship game next week against Florida. But they must win this game to stay in the National Championship hunt. I like Auburn (+10.5) to keep it close. More . . . Inexplicably, Colorado has announced that Dan Hawkins will be back to coach the Buffs next year. Colorado faces Nebraska today. Nebraska meets Texas next week in the Big 12 Championship game no matter the result in this game. Nebraska is ok, but not great. I'll take Colorado (+11) in Boulder. The Backyard Brawl between Pitt and West Virginia should be an entertaining game tonight. 2 years ago, Pitt knocked West Virginia out of the nationa championship picture with a huge upset in Morgantown. While Pitt is not a national championship contender, it does have a de facto Big East championship game next week against Cinncinati. This is a very emotional game and the Mountaineers can put a stamp on their season with a win here at home. All that said, I can't pick against the better football team on a 1 point line. The better team is Pitt - I'll take the Panthers (-1). Boise State hopes to keep its BCS bowl chances alive with a home win tonight over surging Nevada. Since losing its first 3 games, Nevada has righted the ship and reeled off 8 straight wins, including the last 3 by +40 point margins. Boise is a 14 point favorite. The winner is the WAC champion. I like Nevada (+14) to win outright. One hoops special - my Florida Gators travel to Atlantic City, NJ to face Steve M.'s #2 ranked Michigan State Spartans. Shockingly, MSU is only a 5 point favorite. This is actually my lock of the day - Michigan State will kill Florida tonight. Hope I am wrong, but I am pretty sure I am not. This is an Open Thread.

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