Liberal vs.Progressive vs. Centrist vs. Moderate...definition help

[renie408]

It has recently been brought to my attention that the people on the DU are 'progressives'. Oddly enough, I was reading a thread the other day which had a link to a position test and every one was proud that they were liberals. That has led me to wonder what the differences are. If progressives don't like to be called liberals, there must be a significant difference between the two. It would also follow that liberals would not like to be called progressive. It all sounds good to me, but I can't tell the difference between a centrist and a moderate, either.


Are there differences between a progressive and a liberal? Or between a moderate and a centrist? What are they?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. As far as I can tell...

A progressive is a liberal that's scared of the negative connotations attached to the word "liberal". I see no difference between a moderate and a centrist either.

I could be wrong though. :shrug:

[renie408]

2. That's pretty much what I thought.

I can't find anything that doesn't lump progressives and liberals together. So using the word 'progressive' is an attempt at an end run around the liberal bashing fear of freepers? But freepers are just as likely to be freaked out by a progressive as they are by a liberal, right? I mean, hell, they are freaked out by centrist/moderates.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Shit, most freepers are freaked out by run of the mill Republicans!

[mestup]

6. Good definition.

I'm old enough to remember the fiercely negative connotation to "those women's libbers," and I think the term "liberal" today still drags that nastiness through the minds of those older wingnuts.

Maybe it's best to get rid of the association.

It's much like the way Republicans use "GOP" on campaign signs, etc. Distancing themselves from negative connotations.

[renie408]

8. So it is pretty much silly to say, "I am a progressive, not a liberal."?

Cause if they are basically the same thing...well, they are basically the same thing.

[mestup]

9. I don't know if it's silly. Maybe - "I'm a progressive." Period

:shrug:

[blondeatlast]

3. I'm free to describe myself any way I want to.

So are you.

[renie408]

7. O-Kay

I am really not trying to be dense...but does that mean anything?

[blondeatlast]

10. It means "don't sweat the small stuff." There's plenty o'big stuff

to keep you occupied in this forum.

[renie408]

11. Ahhhh..Check!!:) n/t

[catnhatnh]

5. I am in fact...

...a screaming Maoist...Come halfway towards where I am and you will then know what a "progressive" or "liberal" is...

[genius]

12. Dictionary.com Progressive (1st def): Moving forward; advancing.

Bush qualifies. Those marching forward into war qualify.

There are other definitions and there was a Progressive Party. However, I don't care for using a term that includes under one of its definitions, George W. Bush.


Liberal (From dictionary.com)
Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
Liberal Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.

Tending to give freely; generous: a liberal benefactor.
Generous in amount; ample: a liberal serving of potatoes.
Not strict or literal; loose or approximate: a liberal translation.
Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum: a liberal education.

Archaic. Permissible or appropriate for a person of free birth; befitting a lady or gentleman.
Obsolete. Morally unrestrained; licentious.

n.
A person with liberal ideas or opinions.
Liberal A member of a Liberal political party.