Liberalism

Definition

Liberalism is a political ideology that emphasizes individual freedoms, democratic processes, rule of law, human rights and free market economics.

Analogy

Imagine liberalism as your school's student council where every student has a voice (democracy), there are rules that apply equally to everyone (rule of law), each person is respected for who they are (human rights) and there's a snack bar where anyone can set up shop if they follow certain guidelines (free market).

Related terms

Democracy: A system of government where power is vested in the people who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Human Rights: The basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, often held to include the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law.

Free Market: An economic system in which prices are determined by unrestricted competition between privately owned businesses.