Are you a Liberal or Progressive?

It seems to me that the right has moved left and taken the place of the Classic Liberals and the far left has become
the radical progressives.

Modern liberals support a mixed economy: free markets paired with regulations and safety nets. They back policies like, unemployment benefits, and financial oversight. These measures are designed to smooth out economic cycles and protect vulnerable citizens. Progressives want to go further. They argue that capitalism’s core structures—private ownership of key industries, deep wealth inequalities—require more radical shifts. Many favor public ownership or strong cooperative models in sectors like healthcare, energy, and banking. They see systemic overhauls as the only way to ensure lasting fairness.

This sure sounds like the Mandami Progressive Democrats

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

DogMan · 61-69, M

Both ideologies prize social justice, but their tactics differ. Modern liberals focus on anti-discrimination laws, and equal-opportunity measures. They believe that existing institutions can be reformed to serve everyone fairly. Progressives, meanwhile, emphasize dismantling entrenched power imbalances. They call for policies such as reparations, universal basic income, and sweeping labor reforms. Their lens is structural: true justice requires reshaping systems that perpetuate inequality—from the criminal-justice system to corporate governance.

Views on Expression and Identity
How society handles speech and identity is another dividing line. Modern liberals champion viewpoint neutrality: government shouldn’t pick winners or losers in public discourse. They’re wary of regulations that limit speech, even if the intent is to protect marginalized groups. Progressives place a higher value on self-expression and the validation of diverse identities. They support policies—like hate-speech laws or campus speech codes—that aim to safeguard vulnerable communities from harassment. For them, unregulated speech can reinforce existing hierarchies and harm those already disadvantaged.