Hijacking Liberalism
The Ideological Sleight of Hand by American Progressives
The theft of the term "liberal" by contemporary American progressives represents more than a mere annoyance—it is an intentional obfuscation with deep philosophical and political implications.
Historically, "liberalism" denotes a commitment to individual liberty, limited government intervention, free markets, and the primacy of voluntary association over state coercion. Classical liberals, from John Locke to John Stuart Mill, Friedrich Hayek to Milton Friedman, have consistently emphasized individual autonomy, property rights, free expression, and the rule of law as foundational principles.
However, in Canada and the United States, progressives have systematically appropriated the "liberal" label, distorting its meaning beyond recognition. Under the guise of liberalism, progressive politics increasingly embrace collectivist solutions, aggressive governmental intervention, identity-driven social engineering, and coercive redistributive policies. While still rhetorically advocating personal freedom in limited contexts, such as social or cultural issues, contemporary progressivism fundamentally diverges from classical liberalism by championing expansive state control as a primary mechanism for social and economic change.
This terminological hijacking has critical consequences:
Philosophical Obscurity: The clear ideological distinction between classical liberalism's core values and progressivism’s statist orientation becomes muddied, making substantive political dialogue difficult.
Historical Misrepresentation: By claiming the "liberal" mantle, progressives distort public understanding of liberalism’s historical legacy, falsely aligning their authoritarian-leaning approaches with principles of classical liberal thinkers who would explicitly reject their methods.
Strategic Advantage: This linguistic appropriation enables progressives to marginalize authentic liberals as "right-wing" or reactionary, shifting the Overton window and undermining genuine debates about the legitimate scope of government and individual autonomy.
Correcting this misrepresentation demands concerted efforts by advocates of genuine liberal values. Explicitly distinguishing "classical liberalism" from contemporary progressivism is essential. Adopting and popularizing more precise terms—such as "classical liberal," "libertarian," or "voluntaryist"—can restore clarity and intellectual integrity to political discourse.
Reclaiming the "liberal" identity is thus more than a semantic issue—it is an imperative for anyone committed to the principles of liberty and autonomy, critical thinking, and honest political debate. Progressives may continue attempting to obscure these distinctions, but clarity and persistent advocacy remain our most effective counters.