----- Original Message -----
Can someone please define what this word liberal means? i still feel like it's being used as a catch all for non-radical lefties. -- -Nathan Tankus --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An excellent question and a regular source of confusion since its political meaning has some affinity with radical views and its economic meaning does not.
Politically: liberal describes one who supports civil rights and state intervention into the equitable distribution of wealth.
Economically: liberal refers to the non-interferance of the govt in the "free market." ---------------------------------------
Generally speaking these senses are diametrically opposed and are only married by the "libertarian" who opposes govt interference in the free market but also in individual liberties.
Joanna