Liberal Vs. Leftist (Whats The Difference?) – The Cold Wire
The political spectrum contains more philosophies and viewpoints than simply left and right.
Within each side are various political leanings and beliefs.
On the left side, you have everything from left-moderate to liberal to leftist.
All of these terms may seem confusing to someone who considers themselves either left or right.
You may be leftist without even realizing it.
You could be liberal and not a leftist.
Heres what you need to know about liberal vs. leftist and what the differences are between them.
While both liberals and leftists are on the left side of the political spectrum, there is a key difference between them.
The key difference is that liberals believe in more conservative practices when it comes to the economy.
Leftists believe the government needs to play more of a role in the economy.
For example, liberals believe that there should be more tax breaks for the wealthy and less government oversight overall.
Leftists believe that the wealthy should pay higher taxes to fund other social programs designed to help those not benefiting from capitalism.
To understand the difference between liberalism and leftism more easily, its a good idea to understand the history of each of these ideologies.
Liberalism can trace its roots back several centuries, but in terms of modern-day politics, the key point of time to examine is 19th-century England.
In England, there were two major political parties.
The Tories primarily expressed the interests of the Crown and those in the countryside.
The Whigs expressed the interests of the merchants and aristocracy.
In the mid-1800s, concepts like left and right didnt exist.
Neither of those parties would exactly fall into either of those categories today.
When the 1840s rolled around, however, the Tories and Whigs no longer did an accurate job of representing the people.
Thats because Britain was industrializing.
It needed new thinkers to contend with the new problems that society was facing.
These new thinkers proposed ideas that gave them the label new liberals.
Liberals wanted to know if capitalism worked for workers as well as those who owned factories.
They believed in the idea of the Invisible Hand introduced by Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations.
This Invisible Hand would steer the market in the workers favor.
The idea was that a factory would open and hire new workers.
The worker would then be able to buy more goods with their wages.
To accommodate those needs, a new factory starts production, and more workers start working.
The cycle continues harmoniously.
The belief that was if they got this idea working fast enough through low taxes and free trade rules, the system would increase the value of the worker while keeping the price of goods low.
The problem is that the society that existed in the 1800s isnt the same as a modern society.
In the 1800s, taxes were only raised when wars started.
Because of that, wars were generally avoided whenever possible.
Thats a stark difference from today in which ongoing wars create extraordinary wealth for certain members of society.
The Whigs fell out of power and this new party, called the Liberal Party, took center stage.
The role of the Liberal Party was to keep the cycle of the economy going with very little involvement.
This practice continued for over 70 years until World War 1.
That all changed in the early 20th century when a new party emerged.
Called the Labour Party, this political group called into question whether the liberals were doing enough for society.
Thus began the concept of leftism.
Leftism began with roots in the Labour Party in England.
They saw the poverty that had grown worse over the years due to the liberal system of capitalism.
They believed that Adam Smiths Invisible Hand tended to profit industrialists more than the workers.
This wasnt what the country had in mind when it adopted the concept.
It ended up leaving the poor behind and struggling to survive while the state did nothing to help them.
The Labour Party would go on to replace the Liberal Party.
They introduced policies that many consider leftist today.
Some of those policies include disability insurance, the National Health Service, and old-age pensions.
They also expanded income taxes.
These ideas made their way across the ocean to the United States.
Amid the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was looking for ideas to help save the country from poverty.
Part of the reason he won his office was a leftist idea called The New Deal.
His main opponent at the time was Republican Herbert Hoover.
FDR championed liberal ideas about the market and the governments role in society.
The New Deal promised a stimulus package for everyone in the country.
It was the first time that the countrys residents would receive direct financial aid from the government they paid their taxes to.
Roosevelt would also go on to create several other social welfare programs designed to help and protect the working class.
These programs would continue to be a part of the political sphere into the second World War.
Even 40 years later, Presidents would take certain parts of leftism and use them as part of their political platform.
President Dwight Eisenhower, for example, expanded Social Security and helped low-income families with financial support.
Although he ultimately failed to get it through Congress, President Richard Nixon also tried to expand federal support for child welfare.
It was during the 1970s when leftism fell out of popularity.
Certain economists in the 1970s called for a return to a liberal market.
This was also trumpeted by then-presidential candidate Ronald Reagan.
He wanted to remove all the restrictions that the government had placed on the market.
In so doing, he believed the market would be able to release its magic and benefit everyone.
He strongly believed in Adam Smiths idea of the Invisible Hand steering the market and society as a result.
He wasnt the only political figure wanting to return to a liberal economy either.
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was also voicing her opinions on the matter.
Between the two of them, they fought against the formations of unions, and unions in general, and also reduced taxes for the wealthy.
They also cut the budgeting of several social programs if not eliminating them entirely.
Utilities and various industries that were once run by the government were also privatized and run by corporations instead.
Thus began an age called neoliberalism.
Although these tactics started with the Republican side of the spectrum, they were also used by the left side of the political spectrum.
President Bill Clinton saw the popularity that neoliberalism had and promised to reduce further welfare programs.
He also finished the North American Free Trade Agreement that George H. W. Bush started in his presidency.
Clinton brought together a new form of democrats that he called the New Democrats.
Tony Blair, also left-leaning, wanted to continue Thatchers work in terms of freeing up the market.
He wanted to modernize the welfare system by reducing it and keeping government involvement out of the economy as much as possible.
All of these changes led to the current economic state as it is today.
That brings both concepts to the present time.
You can see elements of liberalism in certain political figures and leftism in other political figures.
Joe Biden, a Democrat, is also a liberal.
He supported NAFTA as a bill and also pushed for the Affordable Care Act.
The ACA is market-based rather than true universal healthcare.
Excerpt from:
Liberal Vs. Leftist (Whats The Difference?) - The Cold Wire
- Elon Musks political persona linked to waning interest in Teslas among liberals - PsyPost - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Pierre Poilievre: The Liberals must get out of the way of growth - Yahoo News Canada - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Civil liberties groups urge Liberals to withdraw 'vague' anti-hate bill that opposition MPs say is 'trying to lower the bar' for prosecution - The... - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Senior conservative cautions Liberals quietly pushing to split the party - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Liberals are up to their same old tricks - Troy Media - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Victorian Liberals will scrap Australian-first Treaty within 100 days if elected - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Newfoundland and Labrador election: Liberals and Tories running neck and neck - The Lethbridge Herald - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Bari Weiss torched as 'talentless hack' as liberals rage over CBS News boss [Video] - AOL.com - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- WA Liberals told they need more women, better candidates in post-election review - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Budget 2025: What the federal Liberals are pitching in their upcoming budget - Business in Vancouver - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- Abbott says Ley and Liberals need to learn from his stint as opposition leader - The Sydney Morning Herald - October 13th, 2025 [October 13th, 2025]
- The Week in Polling: Liberals and Conservatives neck and neck; American trust in mainstream media hits all-time low; Canadians overwhelmingly reject... - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Conservative distrust of journalism threatens to spread among liberals - Kansas Reflector - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Budget 2025: What the federal Liberals are pitching in their upcoming budget - Yahoo News Canada - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- 'Long overdue' say those who welcome the Liberals' promised automatic tax filing system - CBC - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Budget 2025: What the federal Liberals are pitching in their upcoming budget - The Spec - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Budget 2025: What the federal Liberals are pitching in their upcoming budget - Toronto Star - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Liberals in closed-door talks to boost NDP funding, claim its not related to upcoming budget vote - Toronto Star - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Grattan on Friday: Will the Liberals hold firm in the fight over freedom to find information? - The Conversation - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Budget 2025: What the federal Liberals are pitching in their upcoming budget - saskNOW - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- These rural Californians want to secede. Newsoms maps would pair them with Bay Area liberals - el-observador.com - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Liberals seem intent on winning the battle of new terms over the war of ideas - AJC.com - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Conservatives Love Him. Liberals Actually Listen to Him. How Does Ross Douthat Do That? - Slate - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- The Liberals find a better balance in fighting hate - The Globe and Mail - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- The ground is shifting: whats driving One Nations surge and could it replace the floundering Liberals? - The Guardian - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Supreme Court's Liberals Offer Muted Defense of 'Conversion Therapy' Ban - Law.com - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Michael Higgins: Tamara Lich was never an insurrectionist. It just suited Liberals to pretend - Yahoo News Canada - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- The Yukon Liberals Are Coming Apart at the Worst Possible Time - The Walrus - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Liberals pledge support for tech sector, defence. PCs double down on supporting the trades - CBC - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Trump sends Navy officers wild with powerful message to liberals claiming he's 'unwell' - Daily Mail - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- Liberals vote against Tory bail reform motion, vow opposition will be happy with new legislation - Global News - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- 8 days out from election, Liberals pitch office to cut through red tape, NDP promises cuts to heating tax - Yahoo News Canada - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- In travelling a spread-out province, the Liberals and PCs are trying to navigate N.L.'s rural-urban divide - CBC - October 7th, 2025 [October 7th, 2025]
- The Liberals need to be clear cut on spending cuts - The Globe and Mail - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Liberals Are Losing the Clip War, How Can We Fight Back? (w/ Adam Mockler) - The Bulwark - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Liberals hope to entice Paradise voters with promises of solution to traffic gridlock - Yahoo News Canada - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- A hearty welcome for the Liberals in the district of Fogo Island-Cape Freels indicates its a race between red and blue - Yahoo News Canada - October 4th, 2025 [October 4th, 2025]
- Mike Johnson Threatens Liberals With a Good Time: If Democrats Took Over the House Theyd Impeach Trump - Yahoo - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Liberals and conservatives are familiar foes of California gerrymandering | Opinion - Yahoo News Canada - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Gap between Liberals and Conservatives narrows to four points as Canadians increasingly focus on jobs/the economy. (Nanos) - Nanos Research - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Provincial Liberals Held Commanding Lead Prior to Writ Drop: Narrative Research - VOCM - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Liberals and conservatives are familiar foes of California gerrymandering | Opinion - Sacramento Bee - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- POLL: Liberals More Likely to Cut Ties with Friends and Family Over Politics - AMAC - The Association of Mature American Citizens - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Liberals say they're confused by Poilievre's call to 'argue' against B.C. land-claims ruling they've already appealed - MSN - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Liberals say they're confused by Poilievre's call to 'argue' against B.C. land-claims ruling they've already appealed - Yahoo News Canada - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- The Dark Passions Driving American Politics: Why Liberals Must Acknowledge Anger, Fear, and the Lust for Domination - Keen On America - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- Daily Caller Editor Literally Calls for Conservatives to Violently Attack Liberals: I Want Blood in the Streets - Yahoo - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- OPINION: Ontario Liberals should mirror federal counterparts' voting safeguards to prevent foreign interference and coercion - The Trillium - September 30th, 2025 [September 30th, 2025]
- What Liberals Get Wrong About Trumps Executive Order on Antifa - The Intercept - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Liberals say they have 'no intention' of repealing Online News and Streaming Acts. For now - National Post - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- David McWilliams: Where does the political aftermath of Charlie Kirks killing leave Maga and US liberals? - The Irish Times - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Cost of living on the ballot as Liberals visit west coast, NDP criticize lack of transparency - CBC - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- Conservative MP says Liberals are the architect' of Canada Post's problems - CBC - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- The Right Wants to Exterminate Trans People. Liberals Are Helping. - The Nation - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Liberals say they have 'no intention' of repealing Online News and Streaming Acts. For now - Yahoo News Canada - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Braid: The Liberals face a furious Prairie battle over mandatory gun buybacks - Calgary Herald - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- 2 more Yukon Liberals added to roster in rural ridings ahead of election call - Yukon News - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- Maher blasts Hollywood liberals for not acknowledging Charlie Kirk's assassination at the Emmys - Yahoo - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- CNNs Abby Phillip Says More Liberals Need To Actively Acknowledge Their Part in Cancel Culture - Yahoo - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- Reports on political violence may favor liberals and inflate right-wing numbers - KDBC - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- Reports on political violence may favor liberals and inflate right-wing numbers - WUHF - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- Presumptive Cancer Care Still Part of Liberals Campaign Promises NAPE is Told - VOCM - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- Liberals hit the brakes on buying Teslas - University of Colorado Boulder - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- CNN's Abby Phillip Says Liberals Should 'Actively Acknowledge' Role in Cancel Culture: 'Not Just in Passing' | Video - TheWrap - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- Maher blasts Hollywood liberals for not acknowledging Charlie Kirk's assassination at the Emmys - Fox News - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- Jimmy Kimmel canceled? Liberals are finally reaping what they sowed. | Opinion - MSN - September 21st, 2025 [September 21st, 2025]
- How both conservatives and liberals doctored the same photo of the Charlie Kirk murder suspect - France 24 - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Jimmy Kimmel canceled? Liberals are finally reaping what they sowed. | Opinion - USA Today - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Liberals shifting Coast Guard to defence is creative accounting: Conservatives - Juno News - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Tariffs on imported sugar to hit liberals, Gen Z even MAHA where it hurts: organic food - Fortune - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Jimmy Kimmel Hammered MAGA With Jokes, Barely Touched Liberals - Here Are The Stats - OutKick - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- Sharp rise in satisfaction with N.B. government 1 year after Liberals take power: survey - Global News - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- J.D. Vance says 26 percent of young liberals justify political violence. Here's what the data really say. - Reason Magazine - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Charlie Kirk Wanted American Education Wrested from Liberals - FlaglerLive - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Liberals and younger Americans are more likely to justify political violence, poll says - Washington Times - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Liberals blocked moment of silence for Charlie Kirk in Parliament - Juno News - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Liberals to table the federal budget on Nov. 4 - Investment Executive - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Trump And Crew Promise Crackdown On Liberals In The Name Of Charlie Kirk - NewsOne - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Opinion: The Ontario Liberals need a new leader. Doug Ford would be perfect - The Globe and Mail - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Liberals will table the federal budget on Nov. 4, Champagne says - Toronto Star - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]