Paleoliberalism is an obscure term defined by the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, as "Extremely or stubbornly liberal in political matters." The term may have been coined by Ludwig von Mises, but its limited currency makes this difficult to verify and some sources assert that the term is far older. Liberalism is an ideology, or current of political thought, which strives to maximize liberty through individual rights. ... Look up Politics in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Politics (disambiguation) Democracy History of democracy List of democracy and elections-related topics List of years in politics List of politics by country articles Political corruption Political economy Political movement Political parties of the world Political party Political psychology Political sociology Political... It has been suggested that Classic liberalism be merged into this article or section. ... American liberalism (also called modern liberalism) is a political current that claims descent from classical liberalism in terms of devotion to individual liberty, but rejects the laissez faire economics of classical liberalism in favor of institutions that promote social and economic equity. ... The liberal theory of economics is the theory of economics described by classical liberal authors such as Anders Chydenius, Adam Smith and the French Physiocrats. ... According to ordoliberalism, the state must create a proper legal environment for the economy and maintain a healthy level of competition through measures that adhere to market principles. ... In political science, the label radical denotes one who desires extreme change of all or part of the social order. (Britannica Deluxe CD2000). ... Social liberalism is either a synonym for new liberalism or a label used by progressive liberal parties in order to differentiate themselves from the more conservative liberal parties, especially when there are two or more liberal parties in a country. ... This is an (partial) overview of individuals that contributed to the development of liberal theory on a worldwide scale and therefore are strongly associated with the liberal tradition and instrumental in the exposition of political liberalism as a philosophy. ... A free market is an idealized market, where all economic decisions and actions by individuals regarding transfer of money, goods, and services are voluntary, and are therefore devoid of coercion and theft (some definitions of coercion are inclusive of theft). Colloquially and loosely, a free market economy is an economy... A mixed economy is an economy that combines capitalism and socialism [1]. Some sources prefer the use of command economy over socialism in defining a mixed economy (see external links below). ... Individual rights is a legal term referring to what one is allowed to do and what can be done to an individual. ... Civil rights or positive rights are those legal rights retained by citizens and protected by the government. ... The philosophical concept of negative liberty is the absence of coercion from others. ... Positive liberty, essentially identical with the concept of positive right, an idea that was first expressed and analyzed as a separate conception of liberty by John Stuart Mill but most notably described by Isaiah Berlin, refers to the ability to act to fulfill ones own potential, as opposed to... Liberal democracy is a form of representative democracy where the ability of elected representatives to exercise decision-making power is subject to the rule of law and moderated by a constitution which emphasizes the protection of the rights and freedoms of individuals and minorities (also called constitutional democracy and constitutional... This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article discusses liberalism as a major political current in specific regions and countries. ... The Liberal International is an international organization for liberal parties. ... The European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party (founded in 1993) is a liberal party, active in the European Union, uniting liberal and centrist parties around Europe which together represent more than 20 million European voters and is an international non-profit association incorporated under the laws of Belgium. ... ALDE logo The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (French: Alliance des Démocrates et des Libéraux pour lEurope) is a Group in the European Parliament. ... The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats is a regional organization of liberal and democratic political parties in Asia. ... The Africa Liberal Network is composed of 16 parties in Africa, from 14 different countries, and is an associated organisation of Liberal International, the political family to which Liberal Democratic parties belong. ... The Liberal Network for Latin America (Red Liberal de América Latina, RELIAL) is an international network founded in 2003 with the official launch taking place in Costa Rica November 2004. ... Ludwig Heinrich Edler von Mises (September 29, 1881 - October 10, 1973), was a notable economist and social philosopher. ...

According to some sources this refers to an American branch of classical liberalism that is frequently at odds with the current of liberal thought as espoused by the Democratic Party, the Green Party as well as most non-partisan modern liberals. It is said that paleoliberals view true liberalism as essentially libertarianism complimented with a populist undertone via such things as "social safety nets", and therefore are opposed to the conglomeration of modern liberalism with socialism. Since paleoliberals believe that liberal philosophy is supposed to support the overall expansion of freedom in all areas, they most especially disagree with modern liberals and their embracing of stances that are inherently about taking away freedoms, such as gun control, affirmative action, high taxation, involuntary social security, campaign finance reform, and opposition to school choice. Thus, paleoliberals disagree with sentiments and ideology as expressed by so called liberals such as Michael Moore, Bill Maher and Janeane Garofalo. It has been suggested that Classic liberalism be merged into this article or section. ... Liberalism is an ideology, or current of political thought, which strives to maximize liberty through individual rights. ... The Democratic Party, founded in 1792, is the longest-standing political party in the world. ... In United States politics, the Green Party has been active as a third party since the 1980s. ... Libertarianism is a modern political philosophy that strongly advocates the maximization of individual rights, private property rights, and free market capitalism. ... Populism is a political philosophy or rhetorical style that holds that the common persons interests are oppressed or hindered by the elite in society, and that the instruments of the state need to be grasped from this self-serving elite and used for the benefit and advancement of the... The social safety net is a term used to describe a collection of services provided by the state (such as welfare, universal healthcare, homeless shelters, and perhaps various subsidized services such as transit), which prevent any individual from falling into poverty beyond a certain level. ... The color red and particularly the red flag are traditional symbols of Socialism. ... The phrase Gun politics refers to the views of different people within a particular country as to what degree of control (increased gun rights vs. ... Affirmative action (U.S. English), or positive discrimination (British English), is a policy or a program providing access to systems for people of a minority group who have traditionally been discriminated against, with the aim of creating a more egalitarian society. ... For specific national programs, see Social Security (United States), National insurance (UK), Social Security (Sweden) Social security mainly refers to a field of social welfare concerned with social protection, or protection against socially recognized needs, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment, families with children and others. ... Campaign finance reform is the common term for the political effort in the United States to change the involvement of money in politics, primarily in political campaigns. ... School choice is the slogan of a U.S. movement to give parents more say in which primary and secondary schools their children attend. ... Michael Moore with his Oscar award after Bowling for Columbine won the 2003 Academy Award for Documentary Feature. ... Bill Maher William Bill Maher, Jr. ... Janeane Garofalo Janeane Garofalo (born September 28, 1964 in Newton, New Jersey), is an American stand-up comedian, actress, political activist, and radio host on Air America Radio. ...

Core beliefs

Paleoliberals see liberalism as a set of democratic values based upon a central belief in the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of all people as individuals and upon a conviction that those individual rights, freedoms and responsibilities are the surest foundation of strong community life. They see liberalism not as a fixed ideology but a broad-based political philosophy that relates a core set of enduring values to the changing realities and challenges that societies confront over time. Democracy is a form of government under which the power to alter the laws and structures of government lies, ultimately, with the citizenry. ... Individual rights is a legal term referring to what one is allowed to do and what can be done to an individual. ... ...

Paleoliberals believe in freedom of choice and a "fair go" for all. The believe that only in a society where individuals are free to pursue their individual goals can tyranny be avoided and that only in a society where opportunity, initiative and personal responsibility are fostered can prosperity be attained. The view freedom as something that can only be meaningful if individuals have the opportunity to participate, to achieve and to develop their talents. Paleoliberals believe that respect for the individual implies tolerance of others. For this reason, they believe that liberalism is supposed to be the enemy of privilege, sectional interests and narrow prejudice through things such as affirmative action and hate crime legislation. A tyrant (from Greek τυραννος) is a usurper of rightful power, possessing absolute power and ruling by tyranny. ... A privilege—etymologically private law or law relating to a specific individual—is an honour, or permissive activity granted by another person or a government. ... Affirmative action (U.S. English), or positive discrimination (British English), is a policy or a program providing access to systems for people of a minority group who have traditionally been discriminated against, with the aim of creating a more egalitarian society. ... A Jewish cemetery in France after being defaced by Neo-Nazis. ...

It is the belief of paleoliberals that even though freedom is essential to liberalism, it is not absolute and unfettered freedom, and the rights of any individual are limited and constrained by the equal rights of other individuals.

According to paleoliberals liberalism is a philosophy of strategic but limited government because intrusive government has been demonstrated by history to be inefficient, cruel and discouraging to human achievement. Paleoliberals believe that the role of government is to set the framework of laws and other rules within which individuals and families can freely make decisions about their own lives and pursue their goals with confidence. That by both the laws it enacts and the taxation it exacts, government should interfere as little with the freedom of the individual as is consistent with the maintenance of a fair and open society.

Paleoliberals support the family as the fundamental institution for the raising and nurturing of children and for making each individual an integral part of society. Paleoliberals recognise that the values, choices and actions of families have a profound influence on the welfare of a nation and that the interests of families should be at the center of national policy making.

Paleoliberals believe that an economy based on private property, free enterprise and competitive markets will produce the wealth and jobs people want. That government should not provide services that can be better delivered by competitive enterprise. This page deals with property as ownership rights. ... Free Enterprise is am economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods; investments that are determined by private decision rather than by state control; and determined in a free market. ... Street markets such as this one in Rue Mouffetard, Paris are still common in France. ... Wealth usually refers to money and property. ...

Paleoliberals recognize the capacity of markets, as well as their limits. They believe that fair, open and competitive markets provide the best means of ensuring an open, dynamic, prosperous and equitable society. They also believe that government needs to ensure that markets are, indeed, fair, open and competitive.

Just as paleoliberals recognise the limits of markets, so too do they recognize the limits of government. They believe that government can never duplicate the range of values and the life experiences of individual citizens and cannot therefore effectively substitute centralized for individual decision-making. They believe that a liberal society is supposed to rely on voluntary participation in the institutions of "civil society" - the clubs, associations, charities and community groups freely formed to achieve a great diversity of aims and purposes. Allegorical personification of Charity as a mother with three infants by Anthony van Dyck Charity is a term in Christian theology (one of the three theological virtues), meaning loving kindness towards others; it is held to be the ultimate perfection of the human spirit, because it is said to both...

Paleoliberals promote the fundamental importance of education and training at all levels and the benefits of a vibrant and inclusive participation in the arts. They recognize the importance of education in supporting democratic institutions and a progressive society. Progressive can refer to: Progressive music, including Progressive rock, Progressive metal and Progressive electronica Political Progressivism Several Progressive Parties Progressive Era in the United States (1890-1913) Progressive, a company providing auto insurance The Progressive, a left-wing monthly magazine The progressive tense in grammar Progressive lenses, used to correct...

Paleoliberals believe in free, open, honest and robustly democratic public institutions, in which respect for our forms of government co-exists productively with public participation in, and criticism of, their processes and outcomes.

Paleoliberals believe in democratic government that protects the rights of people by a system of checks and balances. They believe that creating opportunity and security for everyone is the basic aim of liberal social policy. Paleoliberals care about the well-being of all, not just particular lobby groups or sectional interests. The doctrine and practice of dispersing political power and creating mutual accountability between political entities such as the courts, the president or prime minister, the legislature, and the citizens. ...

See also

• Classic liberalism
• Modern liberalism
• Libertarianism