Liberalism in Europe

In general, liberalism in Europe is a political movement that supports a broad tradition of individual liberties and constitutionally-limited and democratically accountable government. These European derivatives of classical liberalism are found in centrist movements and parties as well as some parties on the centre-right and the centre-left.

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Emmanuel Macron, President of France, is often described as the strongest advocate for liberalism in Europe[1]
A general overview and comprehensive discussion of this topic may be found in the article Liberalism.

Liberalism in Europe has a different meaning from the signification it has in contemporary politics in the US.[2] In America, liberals might be confused with leftists which advocate for a larger government, some forms of protectionism and more economic interventionism;[3] whereas European liberals usually favor limited government, free-trade and adhere to economic liberalism.[2]

European liberals also usually support the federalisation of the EU.[4]

Liberal practices

Liberal political parties have specific policies, which the social scientist can either read from party manifestos, or infer from actual actions and laws passed by ostensibly liberal parties. The sources listed below serve to illustrate some of the current liberal attitudes in Europe.

  • the policies of liberal parties in government, including those in coalition arrangements (taking into mind that coalition partners make compromises), since they show what liberals are prepared to accept as well as the policies of liberal parties in opposition
  • the positions of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe faction in the European Parliament[5] and the Electoral Manifestos of the European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party.[6]
  • the forum of the German FDP,[7] which is relatively unmoderated, and illustrates grassroots liberal concerns. Sites of other Liberal parties, e.g. the British Liberal Democrats[8] and the Netherlands' Democrats 66,[9] are more heavily moderated and therefore more representative for the policy of liberal parties.
  • the Belgian website / think tank Liberales.be[10] which has longer essays on new liberal policies
  • the views and policies of the Open Society Institute, since they explicitly claim to derive from the principles of a major liberal philosopher, Karl Popper.
  • the Lisbon Strategy of the European Union, since it is strongly supported by the liberal parties, and sets out a vision of a future Europe.

Additionally, liberal value preferences can be inferred from the liberalisation programmes and policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The liberalism visible in these sources emphasizes in comparison with other ideologies more belief in individual development as a motor for society and the state providing a social safety net. The liberal policies differ from country to country and from party to party.

See also

Notes
  1. "Emmanuel Macron, the resolutely modern philosopher king". The Economist. 2018-06-13. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  2. Goldfarb, Michael (2010-07-20). "Liberal? Are we talking about the same thing?". BBC News. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  3. Greenberg, David (September 12, 2019). "The danger of confusing liberals and leftists". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  4. "Our Policies". Volt Europa. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  5. ALDE Group in the European Parliament : Home
  6. European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party Manifestos
  7. "FDP :: FDP Bundesverband". Forum.fdp-bundesverband.de. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  8. "Liberal Democrats : Home". Libdems.org.uk. 2012-04-20. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  9. "democrats.nl". democrats.nl. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
  10. "Liberales". Liberales.be. 2004-12-01. Retrieved 2012-04-27.
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