Thread: Why are so many liberals/progressives reluctant to call themselves "liberal"?

I've seen this many times here on PF. "Independent" people who side with the left's viewpoint on virtually every issue will object when someone refers to them as a "liberal". There are several members who selected usernames meant to bolster their independent, unaffiliated status, yet you would not suspect, based on their posts, that they are anything but typical, run-of-the-mill liberals.

I just don't understand the reluctance to self-identify. I am not conservative on quite a few issues, yet I still call myself a conservative, and I don't correct people when they call me one. It it just typical liberal arrogance, where they feel too unique and special to identify as one of the hive? I suspect it has something to do with the ideology of liberalism, which downplays the role of the individual and promotes a collectivist mindset. Some liberals resist that to the point of overcompensation (by selecting grandstanding usernames, for example).

It's probably because "liberal" has been thoroughly demonized as a term. It's not quite as demonized as socialism, but it comes close. Progressive seems to be headed that way.

Personally, I only reject the title because I have a few significant divergences from the Left. I'm conservative on gun rights, affirmative action, and social security.

It's obvious. Increasingly the term "liberal", especially when used by neo-cons, is applied to all the potential negative aspects of modern liberalism and none of the positives. When a liberal is defined as a freedom-destroying, soft communist, big government, business-hating un-American semi-traitor, it's kind of hard to use the traditional term. If conservative was synonymous with soft fascist, environment-destroying, job-exporting, racism-driven, creationist, homosexual-hating, corporate b - - - sucker, it wouldn't be a very popular term either. The polarisation of rhetoric is what is driving the use of the word liberal (even by liberals) out of favor.

Originally Posted by Brewskier

I've seen this many times here on PF. "Independent" people who side with the left's viewpoint on virtually every issue will object when someone refers to them as a "liberal". There are several members who selected usernames meant to bolster their independent, unaffiliated status, yet you would not suspect, based on their posts, that they are anything but typical, run-of-the-mill liberals.

I just don't understand the reluctance to self-identify. I am not conservative on quite a few issues, yet I still call myself a conservative, and I don't correct people when they call me one. It it just typical liberal arrogance, where they feel too unique and special to identify as one of the hive? I suspect it has something to do with the ideology of liberalism, which downplays the role of the individual and promotes a collectivist mindset. Some liberals resist that to the point of overcompensation (by selecting grandstanding usernames, for example).

Because the Liberals are the Libertarians

What you call as Liberals are Socialdemocrats(center-right to center-left) And later, there are other leftist like Communists, Socialists, anarchists that are the true left.

Originally Posted by Brewskier

I've seen this many times here on PF. "Independent" people who side with the left's viewpoint on virtually every issue will object when someone refers to them as a "liberal". There are several members who selected usernames meant to bolster their independent, unaffiliated status, yet you would not suspect, based on their posts, that they are anything but typical, run-of-the-mill liberals.

I just don't understand the reluctance to self-identify. I am not conservative on quite a few issues, yet I still call myself a conservative, and I don't correct people when they call me one. It it just typical liberal arrogance, where they feel too unique and special to identify as one of the hive? I suspect it has something to do with the ideology of liberalism, which downplays the role of the individual and promotes a collectivist mindset. Some liberals resist that to the point of overcompensation (by selecting grandstanding usernames, for example).

Shrug.

I refer to myself as liberal fairly frequently. Am I liberal as defined by the right? No. But I consider myself Liberal socially, somewhat conservative fiscally, somewhat Libertarian when it comes to foreign affairs- but I don't mind calling myself a Liberal.

I do object to those extremists who then proceed to call every Liberal a Marxist or a Socialist but then again really they only expose their own bigotry.

Originally Posted by Brewskier

I've seen this many times here on PF. "Independent" people who side with the left's viewpoint on virtually every issue will object when someone refers to them as a "liberal". There are several members who selected usernames meant to bolster their independent, unaffiliated status, yet you would not suspect, based on their posts, that they are anything but typical, run-of-the-mill liberals.

I just don't understand the reluctance to self-identify. I am not conservative on quite a few issues, yet I still call myself a conservative, and I don't correct people when they call me one. It it just typical liberal arrogance, where they feel too unique and special to identify as one of the hive? I suspect it has something to do with the ideology of liberalism, which downplays the role of the individual and promotes a collectivist mindset. Some liberals resist that to the point of overcompensation (by selecting grandstanding usernames, for example).

It is obvious is it not?

The conservative hordes on this forum. Like slobbering beasts, with drooling appetites. Waiting for any opportunity to attack a "liberal"

Originally Posted by Brewskier

I just don't understand the reluctance to self-identify. I am not conservative on quite a few issues, yet I still call myself a conservative, and I don't correct people when they call me one. It it just typical liberal arrogance, where they feel too unique and special to identify as one of the hive? I suspect it has something to do with the ideology of liberalism, which downplays the role of the individual and promotes a collectivist mindset. Some liberals resist that to the point of overcompensation (by selecting grandstanding usernames, for example).

I think that you've nailed it. Many liberals want to be individuals and reject blatant authority, and, at the same time, they feel compassion toward those of lesser fortune. Unfortunately, they have embraced progressive ideology which is anti-individual, pro-authority. The left progressives prey upon liberal compassionate sentiment, convincing them that only government can provide for the welfare of people. Most of my liberal friends are very sympathetic to libertarianism even if they won't embrace it. Conservatives have fallen into the same trap with the right progressives, or "neocons."

Also the american conservatives do seem an angry intolerant ignorant lot.

I am glad i only view them in forum form. Like visiting the zoo to view the wild animals. I am protected by the space of cyber space. Although i have no idea how liberals put up with them in the usa.

I know that I have been called a liberal here on this forum.. and I dont really care...

I am a fiscal conservative but to me being a fiscal conservative means a fair and equitable tax code and trade policy, it means subsidies that benefit the taxpayer... not the corporations... it has less to do with how much we are spending.. it has more to do with how intelligently we are spending and who is benefitting from that spending.

I am a social liberal in the fact that I believe that personal issues such as drug usage, religion, marriage, sexual preference should be government free. Gun onwership should be a right to the lawabiding citizen, The war on drugs abolished, Welfare regulated to basic necessities and free of luxuries, Universal health coverage, Fat fooks and drug abusers surtaxed for healthcare, Womens rights respected in ALL aspects, Affirmative action tempered with financial status and merit.

I refuse to call myself a liberal because I have conservative views, I refuse to label myself a conservative because I have liberal views..... using both sides of the spectrum I avoid narrow minded football-fan type Rah-Rah mob mentality.

The people that I see throw around the socialist/commie/liberal /lefty label as an isult are usually the ones who cant stand anything but Lock-step thought patterns.... "if your not with us yer agin us" mentality.

Most so called conservatives here are pro big spending /big government.. as long as it is legislating the way they see fit and spending on the things they like.. to me that is about as far left as you can get. I wont be called a left liberal by a person that has gone so far extreme tyrannical left they THINK they are on the conservative right.

Conservative demonization and failures of some liberal policies from the 1960s have robbed liberals of their confidence in the label and the principles. Think about Democratic Party based liberalism that gave us war in Vietnam and people dependent on AFDC. Not to mention how Keynesian economic policies gave out in the seventies as our industrial base declined. The rightwing demonization of liberals as elitist, big government, freedom hating, weak on defense, tax, spend, defecit running, God hating, immoral, extremists is the other part. To say the least none of this considers the success of liberal policies from the end of World War II to now in making America better but its a brief explanation to consider. I call myself a liberal, and I want others especially conservatives to think Iam liberal and call me one. I believe if you stand up for the liberal label, principles, and politics its step to reviving liberalism and hopefully making America better.