The Difference Between Liberal and Progressive.

The Difference Between Liberal and Progressive
01/05/2008 - 7:28pm
From an article by Krugman:

OK, before I get there, a word about terms—specifically, liberal vs. progressive. Everyone seems to have their own definitions; mine involves the distinction between values and action. If you think every American should be guaranteed health insurance, you're a liberal; if you're trying to make universal health care happen, you're a progressive.

This is similar to my own personal definition* of Liberal: people who want things like universal healthcare, out of Iraq, privacy rights, help for the homeless, good public schools, justice, equality, etc... but accept the excuses made by politicians and the media for why these things are not possible. See the Process Dodge for more on this.

Progressives, on the other hand, know that progressive policy is possible (and necessary, real soon) and want to fight whatever stands in the way of making it happen.

<more>

http://www.correntewire.com/the_difference_between_liberal_and_progressive

An older article that was probably on DU at the time but I think it's worth a re-post. Personally, I think it's an excellent assessment.

my definition of liberal is an unusual form of cake, commonly eaten in the north of England, made from willow bark batter and traditionally topped with a small piece of coal.

my definition of progressive is a trapezoidal quadrilateral in which a single side is colored mauve.

Redefining language is dangerous territory.

trying to tell me something. . . :smoke:

I really have almost no opinions anymore.

They just take up space.

Today progressive and liberal are interchangeable.. probably always were.. but I will always self identify as a liberal.

When the whole progressive thing came about, the right was on an all out war to demonize liberals by first attacking the name and assigning values to it.

So people ran from the word liberal and started calling themselves progressives. Same thing, but trying to get away from the right's demonizing.

That never works.. So for me it is probably an age thing,... Young progressives who self identify that way, does not mean they are running away from the liberal mantle.. just not part of their history.

Same as my great grandmother who was always a suffragette.. because she fought the battle.. not a battle I fought, never had to self identify that way..


My take on it

You are incorrect that this is when Progressive became a term of political identity. Also that the term exists as a reaction to Republican crapola. Just not factual. At all. In fact the Progressive Era in US Politics is 1890-the 1920's.

You miss the point... edit to add

If you want to go historical the word liberal goes back to "The Enlightenment"

In the 60's, 70's. 80's we self identified as liberals.. until with the help of brother Rush Limbaugh and his ilk in the church of the hatred of the left.. had an all out attack on "bleeding heart liberals" people just did not want to fight a "word" war.. started calling themselves progressives.

Did not change who they were.. It was an attempt to get back on message.

Historically I am a liberal.. will take it to the grave.

Does not mean that a self identified progressive and I have different views.. we have different historical perspective. capish

Individuals will have varying opinions on each and every one of them.

Sometimes an individual will have a "progressive" viewpoint on one topic, a "conservative" viewpoint on another, a "liberal" viewpoint on another.

I can't see anyone who thinks about each issue ever wanting to be labeled because the label will not always fit.

Liberal is a word that has gotten out of favor with the electorate; progressive is far more acceptable.

The positions held are identical, and the people involved are the same, IMO.