Political terms can be often vague, and that is doubly so when terms mean different things based on geography. These definitions are given for clarification. In order to participate in one of these sections, the poster must self-identify as a member of that group.
Socialist: Subscribing to the ideas of public ownership of production and cooperative management of the economy. This ideology can be seen in Marxism, libertarian socialism, social democracy, and others. People who find themselves in this ideology often identify with political organizations such as: Socialist International, Socialist Party USA, Democratic Socialists of America, New Democratic Party (Canada), Social Democratic Party of Germany.
Conservative (also called classical liberalism): Subscribing to the ideas of fiscal and social conservatism. Policies often include support for limited government, limited taxation, a balanced budget, state rights, and restrictions on abortion, same-sex marriage, social welfare, drug legalization, and public administration of services. People who find themselves in this ideology often identify with political organizations such as: The “Tea” Party, the US Republican Party, The Conservative Party (UK), The Liberal Party of Australia, and the Free Democratic Party of Germany.
Libertarian: This term means very different things depending on where one is located, but the general philosophy is that liberty is paramount. In the US, it is generally used to describe right-libertarianism; this ideology tends to be socially liberal and fiscally conservative, and can be described as minarchist. In Europe, the term is typically used for left-libertarianism; this ideology stresses social justice and individual freedom, and is often described as libertarian socialism. People who find themselves in this ideology often identify with political organizations such as: the Libertarian Party (US), the Libertarian Party of Canada, the Occupy Movement, and the “New Left” Movement.
Liberal (also called modern liberalism): Subscribes to the ideas of social liberalism, social justice, and a mixed economy. Policies often include support for reproductive rights, social safety nets, universal healthcare, and same-sex marriage, and restrictions on corporate welfare, flat tax rates, and an unchecked capitalist economy. People who find themselves in this ideology often identify with political organizations such as: The US Democratic Party, the Liberal Party of Canada, the Liberal Democrats (UK), and the Democratic Movement (France).
Feminist: Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, cultural, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment.
Capitalism: An economic system based on private ownership of capital, resources, production, and systems of distribution. It functions primarily through the use of competitive markets, wage labor, and private property rights. It is affected by the political system it operates under, and can be found in many models such as laissez-faire capitalism, state capitalism, and social-market capitalism.
Socialist: Subscribing to the ideas of public ownership of production and cooperative management of the economy. This ideology can be seen in Marxism, libertarian socialism, social democracy, and others. People who find themselves in this ideology often identify with political organizations such as: Socialist International, Socialist Party USA, Democratic Socialists of America, New Democratic Party (Canada), Social Democratic Party of Germany.
Conservative (also called classical liberalism): Subscribing to the ideas of fiscal and social conservatism. Policies often include support for limited government, limited taxation, a balanced budget, state rights, and restrictions on abortion, same-sex marriage, social welfare, drug legalization, and public administration of services. People who find themselves in this ideology often identify with political organizations such as: The “Tea” Party, the US Republican Party, The Conservative Party (UK), The Liberal Party of Australia, and the Free Democratic Party of Germany.
Libertarian: This term means very different things depending on where one is located, but the general philosophy is that liberty is paramount. In the US, it is generally used to describe right-libertarianism; this ideology tends to be socially liberal and fiscally conservative, and can be described as minarchist. In Europe, the term is typically used for left-libertarianism; this ideology stresses social justice and individual freedom, and is often described as libertarian socialism. People who find themselves in this ideology often identify with political organizations such as: the Libertarian Party (US), the Libertarian Party of Canada, the Occupy Movement, and the “New Left” Movement.
Liberal (also called modern liberalism): Subscribes to the ideas of social liberalism, social justice, and a mixed economy. Policies often include support for reproductive rights, social safety nets, universal healthcare, and same-sex marriage, and restrictions on corporate welfare, flat tax rates, and an unchecked capitalist economy. People who find themselves in this ideology often identify with political organizations such as: The US Democratic Party, the Liberal Party of Canada, the Liberal Democrats (UK), and the Democratic Movement (France).
Feminist: Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, cultural, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment.
Capitalism: An economic system based on private ownership of capital, resources, production, and systems of distribution. It functions primarily through the use of competitive markets, wage labor, and private property rights. It is affected by the political system it operates under, and can be found in many models such as laissez-faire capitalism, state capitalism, and social-market capitalism.
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