I never really understood the difference between these until recently (I never cared.) But I thought I’d look up some definitions and learn a little in the process about our political labels.
Democrat - Follows a broadly liberal program, tending to support social reform and minority rights.
Republican - Favors a right-wing stance, limited central government, and tough, interventionist foreign policy.
Liberal - Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
Liberalism - A political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans and the autonomy of the individual and favoring civil and political liberties, government by law with the consent of the governed, and protection from arbitrary authority.
Moderate - Opposed to radical or extreme views or measures, especially in politics or religion.
Libertarian - One who advocates maximizing individual rights and minimizing the role of the state.
Conservative - Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change.
Conservatism - A political philosophy or attitude emphasizing respect for traditional institutions, distrust of government activism, and opposition to sudden change in the established order.
Reactionary - Characterized by reaction, especially opposition to progress or liberalism; extremely conservative.
