Talk:left-wing

Latest comment: 8 years ago by Kolmiel in topic Liberal?

Liberal? edit

I just removed 'liberal' from the definition. I know that the word is associated with left-wing politics in the US, but in the Netherlands it is traditionally associated with the major right-wing party (VVD). Actually, it is neither left-wing nor right-wing. Or it can be both. In the (Dutch) right-wing interpretation it stands for the free market. But it can also stand for freedom of speech and behaviour and the like (non-conformism), which might be interpreted as left-wing. However that may be, it's not specifically connected with either wing.
I have also added 'progressive', because that is generally associated with it. But of course socialism and communism are the best examples of left-wing thinking, so I moved those to the front. DirkvdM 18:40, 4 July 2009 (UTC)Reply

Same thing for Germany, and probably most European countries. In Germany, "liberal" is even in the sharpest of contrasts with "left-wing". Of course, English is English, and other languages are different. But when writing in English, a continental European political scientist is very unlikely to use "liberal" synonymously with "left-wing". This is relevant. Kolmiel (talk) 04:10, 24 October 2015 (UTC)Reply
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