Is There a Difference Between a Liberal and a Progressive

[oostevo]

I was just wondering. I've heard some people say that there is a difference and I've heard other people say that liberal and progressive mean the same thing.

Do any of you have an opinon? Is there a difference? If there is, what is it?

[quinnox]

1. I prefer the term liberal

I don't know what a progressive is supposed to be, plus aesthetically speaking, it is not as nice sounding as liberal.

[oostevo]

2. Hmm ...

From the dictionary:
Progressive -- Promoting or favoring progress toward better conditions or new policies, ideas, or methods: a progressive politician; progressive business leadership.

Liberal -- Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.

From my government textbook:
They're the same.


So I guess that doesn't clear up much.

[w4rma]

3. I prefer the term progressive as the term liberal has a different historic

meaning in terms of economic policy and some aspects of social policy. Republicans up until the 1960s were the party of liberalism. Their economic policies haven't changed at all since before the Great Depression.

For example, I do not want to liberalize (deregulate) regulations on buisnesses.