liberalism

[lib-er-uh-liz-uh m, lib-ruh-] /ˈlɪb ər əˌlɪz əm, ˈlɪb rə-/
noun
1.
the quality or state of being liberal, as in behavior or attitude.
2.
a political or social philosophy advocating the freedom of the individual, parliamentary systems of government, nonviolent modification of political, social, or economic institutions to assure unrestricted development in all spheres of human endeavor, and governmental guarantees of individual rights and civil liberties.
3.
(sometimes initial capital letter) the principles and practices of a liberal party in politics.
4.
a movement in modern Protestantism that emphasizes freedom from tradition and authority, the adjustment of religious beliefs to scientific conceptions, and the development of spiritual capacities.
Origin
1810-20; liberal + -ism
Related forms
liberalist, noun, adjective
liberalistic, adjective
antiliberalism, noun
antiliberalist, noun, adjective
antiliberalistic, adjective
nonliberalism, noun
semiliberalism, noun
Examples from the web for liberalism
  • As such, it is the fusion of economic liberalism with political liberalism.
  • These reforms were not prompted by some sense of ancient liberalism.
  • Chen later embraced liberalism, and refused to side either with the nationalists or ccp.
British Dictionary definitions for liberalism

liberalism

/ˈlɪbərəˌlɪzəm; ˈlɪbrə-/
noun
1.
liberal opinions, practices, or politics
2.
a movement in modern Protestantism that rejects biblical authority
Derived Forms
liberalist, noun, adjective
liberalistic, adjective
Word Origin and History for liberalism
n.

1819, from liberal + -ism.

liberalism in Culture

liberalism definition


In the twentieth century, a viewpoint or ideology associated with free political institutions and religious toleration, as well as support for a strong role of government in regulating capitalism and constructing the welfare state.