Liberal vs Liberal

One word with two meanings depending on context. No wonder there’s confusion.

Americans normally think of liberal as a political point of view or ideology that favors programs funded by the public through taxes. Those programs are sponsored by government units – municipality, county, state or federal. The programs target problems and services needed by many that are very difficult to address by private means. In other words, people pool their resources and trust government agencies to serve the greater need in the name of the people. Such programs and government action are authorized by the people by way of voting for candidates and referenda that support such programs.

In this context the opposite term is conservative. Conservatives generally believe that government ought to be as small as possible. They believe this produces lower taxes and less government interference in personal lives.

Arguments can be found that confuse both terms – liberal and conservative – that belie the simple definitions provided above. Politics tend to confuse a lot of issues and conflate them with ideologies that don’t fit comfortably. Be that as it may, the basic divide is accurately presented above.

Internationally, the context creates a different definition for the term liberal. In this context liberal means democratically elected governments representing the will of the people, and control by the people. Its opposite is illiberal or authoritarian. Nationalism is a part of this illiberal mindset.

Globally political ideologies have grown more illiberal. Nationalism has been a companion movement focusing on ‘America First,’ or ‘England over the European Union.’ It is too simple to conflate white supremacy with nationalism, but it is part of the scene. Authoritarianism, however, is very much a part of illiberalism.

Hungary is all about Hungary these days, and purity of their homeland genetics. Native Hungarians are urged to have babies and are paid for it. Do not apply for this benefit, however, if you are not a full blooded Hungarian. Does this remind you of Germany’s focus on the Aryan Race? It should. It is made from the same cloth.

Massive immigration from global hotspots like the Middle East have caused an influx of asylum seekers in Hungary, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and Scandinavia. These people are tired, sick, injured and broke. They are homeless and unemployed. They represent a large cost of public money to administer programs designed to manage public issues caused by their immigration. Residents of those countries are alarmed by the costs and chaos of rapid immigration flows. The move to limit immigration arises naturally. Political movements are born to preserve homeland lifestyles. Soon the ugly face of nationalism and companions of discrimination and racism are on full view.

World War II was the cause of a massive shift toward liberal governments in the global community. Democracy was the watchword. Tired of world war and its bloody chaos, the world community was hungry for order and governments in full view of the people. Democratic societies expanded quickly.

Today, chaos from masses of people escaping their homelands to live free and safer lives upsets receiving nations. Reaction to that circumstance builds stronger central government authority. With that development democracy fades from view. It is a natural course of action.

Yet this course divides the global village into isolated nations focused on themselves. Global issues receive much less attention. Collaboration among nations fades, too.

The world is in a dangerous place today. Nations selfishly thinking only of themselves and not working toward common goals. Into this stew of infighting and suspicion comes the opportunity for evil to exert its control.

Is this a picture we want of our future? Think carefully before answering. Russia, Turkey, and China are listening to your voices and actions.

September 10, 2020