• Kabe@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    There are three main types of “liberalism” that generally exist in Western democracies, and each of them is quite distinct.

    1. Classical liberalism - emphasizes individual freedom, limited government intervention in the economy, and the protection of natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property.

    2. Neoliberalism - emphasizes free markets, deregulation, privatization, and reduced government intervention in the economy.

    3. Social Liberalism - combines the values of individual freedom with a belief in the role of government in addressing social and economic inequalities through healthcare, education, and welfare programs.

    Typically these days, especially in the US, most people think of #3 when they hear the word “liberal” in a political sense, I’d say.