There are as many definitions of liberalism as there are liberals, but a focus on the future over the past, a recognition of the basic dignity of every human being, and an openness to a diversity of both people and ideas are hallmarks of them all.
Liberalism has always been about one thing: the individual's right to choose. That's not a partisan position — it's a constitutional one.
"Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander."
— Yehuda Bauer
"If we had a high enough tariff on the import of bananas it could become profitable to build hot houses and grow bananas in those hot houses. That would give employment. Would that be a sensible thing to do?"
– Milton Friedman
Government and society are not the same thing. Skepticism of the state is not skepticism of human cooperation. It's the opposite — it's believing people can solve problems without being forced to.

ALT Black and white portrait of Frédéric Bastiat with quote: 'Socialism like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all.' The word 'distinction between government and society' is highlighted in orange.
Free speech isn't just a right for the person talking. It's also a right for the listener.

ALT Historical black and white portrait of Frederick Douglass with a quote about free speech: 'To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker.' The quote emphasizes that free speech protections benefit both speakers and listeners, with text highlighted in orange.
Being liberal means recognizing that some problems are too big for any one person to solve alone. Clean power, fast trains, more housing — these require collective action through government that actually works.



