This article gives information on
liberalism
Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality and equality before the law."political rationalism, hostility to autocracy, cultural distaste for c ...
worldwide. It is an overview of parties that adhere to some form of liberalism and is therefore a list of liberal parties around the world.
Introduction
The definition of liberal party is highly debatable. In the list below, it is defined as a
political party
A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific political ideology ...
that adheres to the basic principles of political
liberalism
Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality and equality before the law."political rationalism, hostility to autocracy, cultural distaste for c ...
. This is a broad political current, including
left-wing
Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy. Left-wing politics typically involve a concern for those in soci ...
,
centrist
Centrism is a political outlook or position involving acceptance or support of a balance of social equality and a degree of social hierarchy while opposing political changes that would result in a significant shift of society strongly to the l ...
and
right-wing
Right-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that view certain social orders and hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position on the basis of natural law, economics, authorit ...
elements. All liberal parties emphasise
individual rights
Group rights, also known as collective rights, are rights held by a group ''wikt:qua, qua'' a group rather than individually by its members; in contrast, individual rights are rights held by Individuality, individual people; even if they are grou ...
, but they differ in their opinion on an active role for the state. This list includes parties of different character, ranging from
classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is a political tradition
Political culture describes how culture impacts politics. Every political system is embedded in a particular political culture.
Definition
Gabriel Almond defines it as "the particular patt ...
to
social liberalism
Social liberalism (german: Sozialliberalismus, es, socioliberalismo, nl, Sociaalliberalisme), also known as new liberalism in the United Kingdom, modern liberalism, or simply liberalism in the contemporary United States, left-liberalism ...
,
conservative liberalism
Conservative liberalism or right-liberalism is a variant of liberalism, combining liberal values and policies with conservative stances, or simply representing the right-wing of the liberal movement. M. Gallagher, M. Laver and P. Mair, ''Repre ...
to
national liberalism
National liberalism is a variant of liberalism, combining liberal policies and issues with elements of nationalism. Historically, national liberalism has also been used in the same meaning as conservative liberalism (right-liberalism).
A seri ...
.
Several
conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
and/or
Christian-democratic
Christian democracy (sometimes named Centrist democracy) is a political ideology that emerged in 19th-century Europe under the influence of Catholic social teaching and neo-Calvinism.
It was conceived as a combination of modern democratic ...
parties, such as the British
Conservative Party
The Conservative Party is a name used by many political parties around the world. These political parties are generally right-wing though their exact ideologies can range from center-right to far-right.
Political parties called The Conservative P ...
, Germany's
Christian Democratic Union and Spain's
People's Party, are also considered to be
neoliberal
Neoliberalism (also neo-liberalism) is a term used to signify the late 20th century political reappearance of 19th-century ideas associated with free-market capitalism after it fell into decline following the Second World War. A prominent fa ...
leaning or have strong
liberal conservative
Liberal conservatism is a political ideology combining conservative policies with liberal stances, especially on economic issues but also on social and ethical matters, representing a brand of political conservatism strongly influenced by li ...
and/or classical liberal factions, whereas some conservative parties, such as Poland's
Law and Justice
Law and Justice ( pl, Prawo i Sprawiedliwość , PiS) is a right-wing populist and national-conservative political party in Poland. Its chairman is Jarosław Kaczyński.
It was founded in 2001 by Jarosław and Lech Kaczyński as a direct su ...
and Hungary's
Fidesz
Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance (; hu, Fidesz – Magyar Polgári Szövetség) is a right-wing populist and national-conservative political party in Hungary, led by Viktor Orbán.
It was formed in 1988 under the name of Alliance of Young ...
, while favour more state intervention also support free market/free market solutions. Conversely, some social-democratic parties, such as the British
Labour Party and the Italian
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
, include liberal elements. Social liberalism and
social conservatism
Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...
are not mutually exclusive either, in fact some parties espouse socially liberal economic policies, while maintaining more socially conservative or traditionalist views on society: examples of this include Finland's
Centre Party (see also
Nordic agrarian parties The Nordic agrarian parties, also referred to as Nordic Centre parties, Scandinavian agrarian parties or Agrarian Liberal parties are agrarian political parties that belong to a political tradition particular to the Nordic countries. Positioning th ...
) and Ireland's
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil (, ; meaning 'Soldiers of Destiny' or 'Warriors of Fál'), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party ( ga, audio=ga-Fianna Fáil.ogg, Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach), is a conservative and Christian- ...
, both members of the
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...
(ALDE Party). In the United States, the two major political forces, the
Republican Party and the
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
, are to some extent, liberal (see
Liberalism in the United States
Liberalism in the United States is a political and moral philosophy based on concepts of unalienable rights of the individual. The fundamental liberal ideals of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the separation of chu ...
and
Modern liberalism in the United States
Modern liberalism in the United States, often simply referred to in the United States as liberalism, is a form of social liberalism found in American politics. It combines ideas of civil liberty and equality with support for social justice an ...
).
Many liberal parties are members of the
Liberal International
Liberal International (LI) is a worldwide organization of liberal political parties - a political international. It was founded in Oxford in 1947 and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties, aiming to strengthen liberalism around ...
and/or one of its regional partners, such as the ALDE Party in Europe, the
Liberal Network for Latin America
The Liberal Network for Latin America ( es, Red Liberal de América Latina), ( pt, Rede Liberal da América Latina), abbreviated to RELIAL, is a network of 42 liberal institutions from 17 Latin American countries. Members of RELIAL include polit ...
and the
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats
The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) is a regional organization of liberal democratic political parties in Asia.
Background
The Council was created on 15 October 1993, in a meeting in Taipei, Taiwan. There are nine member partie ...
. Generally, membership in these international organizations is an indication that that party is indeed liberal. However, other international organisations, such as the
International Democrat Union
The International Democrat Union (IDU) is an international alliance of centre-right political parties. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, the IDU consists of 84 full and associate members from 65 countries. It is chaired by Stephen Harper, ...
and the
Centrist Democrat International
The Centrist Democrat International ( es, Internacional Demócrata de Centro) is a Christian-democratic political international. Until 2001, it was known as the Christian Democrat International (CDI); before 1999, it was known as the Christian D ...
, and regional organisations, such as the
European People's Party
The European People's Party (EPP) is a European political party with Christian-democratic, conservative, and liberal-conservative member parties. A transnational organisation, it is composed of other political parties. Founded by primarily Ch ...
, the
Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists, the
European Democratic Party
The European Democratic Party (EDP) ( French: Parti Démocrate Européen; PDE) also known as the European Democrats, is a centrist European political party in favour of European integration. François Bayrou is the President of the party.
All ...
and the
Christian Democrat Organization of America, also have liberal or liberal leaning parties as significant proportions of their membership.
Not all the parties using the "Liberal" or "Freedom" labels are actually liberal. Moreover, some parties, such as the
Freedom Party of Austria
The Freedom Party of Austria (german: Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs, FPÖ) is a right-wing populist and national-conservative political party in Austria. It was led by Norbert Hofer from September 2019 to 1 June 2021.Staff (1 June 2021"Aust ...
, were originally liberal, but have since tilted toward a
populist
Populism refers to a range of political stances that emphasize the idea of "the people" and often juxtapose this group against " the elite". It is frequently associated with anti-establishment and anti-political sentiment. The term developed ...
direction and abandoned most of the tenets of liberalism. Finally, some parties, such as the United States Republican Party, Australia's
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left.
__TOC__ Active liberal parties
This is a li ...
or Norway's
Progress Party are liberal mainly from an economic point of view rather than a social point of view (see
economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is a political and economic ideology that supports a market economy based on individualism and private property in the means of production. Adam Smith is considered one of the primary initial writers on economic liberalism ...
,
libertarianism
Libertarianism (from french: libertaire, "libertarian"; from la, libertas, "freedom") is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's en ...
and
right-libertarianism
Right-libertarianism,Rothbard, Murray (1 March 1971)"The Left and Right Within Libertarianism" ''WIN: Peace and Freedom Through Nonviolent Action''. 7 (4): 6–10. Retrieved 14 January 2020.Goodway, David (2006). '' Anarchist Seeds Beneath the ...
).
International organizations of parties
*
Liberal International
Liberal International (LI) is a worldwide organization of liberal political parties - a political international. It was founded in Oxford in 1947 and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties, aiming to strengthen liberalism around ...
*
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...
*
Liberal Network for Latin America
The Liberal Network for Latin America ( es, Red Liberal de América Latina), ( pt, Rede Liberal da América Latina), abbreviated to RELIAL, is a network of 42 liberal institutions from 17 Latin American countries. Members of RELIAL include polit ...
*
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats
The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) is a regional organization of liberal democratic political parties in Asia.
Background
The Council was created on 15 October 1993, in a meeting in Taipei, Taiwan. There are nine member partie ...
*
Africa Liberal Network
The Africa Liberal Network (ALN; french: Réseau libéral africain) is an organization composed of 47 political parties from 29 countries in Africa. It is an associated organisation of Liberal International, the political family to which libera ...
*
Arab Liberal Federation
The Arab Liberal Federation (ALF; ar, الاتحاد الليبرالي العربي) is a network of liberal political parties, organizations and activists from Arab countries. It was formed in 2008 in Cairo under the name of Network of Arab L ...
Parliamentary parties and other parties with substantial support
:''This list includes also parties that were represented in the last previous legislature and still exists as well as some banned or exiles parties (Cuba). Liberals might be active in other parties, but that is no reason to include a party.''
:''See the remarks
above about the criteria. Minor parties are listed
below
Below may refer to:
*Earth
*Ground (disambiguation)
*Soil
*Floor
*Bottom (disambiguation)
Bottom may refer to:
Anatomy and sex
* Bottom (BDSM), the partner in a BDSM who takes the passive, receiving, or obedient role, to that of the top or ...
''
Africa
Liberalism is a relatively new current for
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
. Traditionally it only existed more or less in
Egypt
Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediter ...
,
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭 (Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 ...
and especially
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
.
* : There are very few liberal political parties.
Ahd 54 and the Algerian Natural Law Party may be considered liberal. The main
Berber party, the
Rally for Culture and Democracy
The Rally for Culture and Democracy ( ber, Agraw i Yidles d Tugdut; ar, التجمع من أجل الثقافة والديمقراطية; french: Rassemblement pour la Culture et la Démocratie, RCD) is a political party in Algeria. It promotes ...
(french: Rassemblement pour la Culture et la Démocratie) could be considered to embrace some liberal values.
* : the
Liberal Democratic Party ( pt, Partido Liberal Democrático, member
LI) is a small liberal party.
* : the
Rebirth Party of Benin
The Benin Rebirth Party (french: Parti de la renaissance du Bénin) is a liberal political party in Benin. The party was founded on 24 March 1992 by then- First Lady Rosine Vieyra Soglo, who became the first Beninese woman to establish a new polit ...
(french: Parti de la renaissance du Bénin), might be considered a liberal party, but its exact profile is not available. The
Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin
The Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (french: Forces Cauris pour un Bénin émergent, FCBE) is a political party of Benin, formed by supporters of president Yayi Boni. In the parliamentary election held on 31 March 2007, the party won 35 out ...
(french: Forces Cauris pour un Bénin émergent) are a centrist party alliance with liberal elements.
* : the
Alliance for Democracy and Federation
The Alliance for Democracy and Federation (''Alliance pour la Démocratie et la Fédération'') is a liberal party in Burkina Faso. It is part of the Alliance for Democracy and Federation-African Democratic Rally (''Alliance pour la Démocratie ...
(french: Alliance pour la Démocratie et la Fédération), might be considered a liberal party, but its exact profile is not available.
* : the
Movement for Democracy ( pt, Movimento para a Democracia, member
CDI), is a liberal and Christian-democratic party
*: the
Future of Congo (''
French: Avenir du Congo'') is a liberal party of the current Prime Minister
* : the
Free Egyptians Party
)
, founded =
, headquarters = 2 Hassan Sabry Street Zamalek-Cairo
, membership_year = 2011
, membership = 100,000
, ideology = Egyptian nationalismLiberalismSecularism
, position = Centre to centre-right
, national =
, affiliation1_title ...
(Hizb El Masriyin El Ahrar) and the
New Wafd Party
The New Wafd Party ( ar, حزب الوفد الجديد, , New Delegation Party), officially the Egyptian Wafd Party and also known as the Al-Wafd Party, is a nationalist liberal party in Egypt.
It is the extension of one of the oldest and his ...
(Hizb al-Wafd-al-Jadid) could be considered "liberal parties". The newest liberal party in Egypt is
El-Ghad Party
The el-Ghad Party ( ar, حزب الغد ', ; "The Tomorrow Party") is an active political party in Egypt that was granted license in October 2004. El-Ghad is a centrist liberal secular political party pressing for widening the scope of politi ...
(Tomorrow's Party) led by the opposition leader Ayman Nou
Also, the newly established
Free Egyptians Party
)
, founded =
, headquarters = 2 Hassan Sabry Street Zamalek-Cairo
, membership_year = 2011
, membership = 100,000
, ideology = Egyptian nationalismLiberalismSecularism
, position = Centre to centre-right
, national =
, affiliation1_title ...
. ''See for more information:
Liberalism in Egypt
Liberalism in Egypt or Egyptian liberalism is a political ideology that traces its beginnings to the 19th century.
History
Rifa'a al-Tahtawi (also spelt Tahtawy; 1801–1873) was an Egyptian writer, teacher, translator, Egyptologist and re ...
''.
* : the
National Democratic Union of Equatorial Guinea (, member
LI) claims to be a liberal party.
* : the
United Democratic Party, might be considered a liberal party, but its exact profile is not available.
* : the
New Patriotic Party
, logo =
, colorcode = #132f7a
, founder =
, founded = 28 July 1992
, dissolved =
, leader = Nana Akufo-Addo
, chairman = Stephen Ayensu Ntim
Stephen Ntim elected NPP National Chairman on fifth attempt http://www.gna.org.gh/1.2152672 ...
is a
right of center liberal party that is unclear about its international affiliations.
* : the
Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea
The Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea (french: Union des forces démocratiques de Guinée, UFDG) is a social-liberal political party in Guinea.
The party was founded in 1991 by a number of opposition parties and groups. In October 2002 it was ...
(french: Union des forces démocratiques de Guinée, member
LI,
ALN
Aluminium nitride ( Al N) is a solid nitride of aluminium. It has a high thermal conductivity of up to 321 W/(m·K) and is an electrical insulator. Its wurtzite phase (w-AlN) has a band gap of ~6 eV at room temperature and has a potent ...
) and the
Union of Republican Forces
The Union of Republican Forces (french: Union des Forces Républicaines, UFR) is a liberal political party in Guinea.
Founded in 1992, the party has been led since 1999 by the former Prime Minister of Guinea
This article lists the prime min ...
(french: Union des forces républicaines, member
LI,
ALN
Aluminium nitride ( Al N) is a solid nitride of aluminium. It has a high thermal conductivity of up to 321 W/(m·K) and is an electrical insulator. Its wurtzite phase (w-AlN) has a band gap of ~6 eV at room temperature and has a potent ...
) are the main opposition parties.
* : the
Rally of the Republicans
The Rally of the Republicans (french: Rassemblement des Républicains; abbreviated RDR) is a liberal party in Ivory Coast (). The party is the country's governing party; the party's leader, Alassane Ouattara, is the current President of Ivory C ...
(french: Rassemblement des Republicains, member
LI,
CDI) is the liberal, main government party.
* : the
Orange Democratic Movement
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is a centre-left political party in Kenya. It is the successor of a grassroots people's movement which was formed during the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum campaign. This movement separated in Augu ...
(observer
LI) might be considered a liberal party.
* : the liberal character of the
United Democratic Front is despite its membership of the
LI disputable. The
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a Taiwanese nationalist and centre-left political party in the Republic of China (Taiwan). Controlling both the Republic of China presidency and the unicameral Legislative Yuan, it is the majori ...
was formed in 2005 by President
Bingu wa Mutharika
Bingu wa Mutharika (; born Brightson Webster Ryson Thom; 24 February 1934 – 5 April 2012) was a Malawian politician and economist who was President of Malawi from May 2004 until his death in April 2012. He was also President of the Demo ...
after a dispute with the UDF. There were allegations that members of the former governing UDF did not adequately tackle corruption. It is unclear if the party will be ideological or personalist in style.
* : two center-right parties, the
Constitutional Union (french: Union Constitutionnelle) and the
Popular Movement (french: Mouvement Populaire) are both member of the
LI. However both are conservative in social issues, something abnormal for a true liberal party. The
National Rally of Independents
National may refer to:
Common uses
* Nation or country
** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen
Places in the United States
* National, Maryland, ...
(observer
LI, member
ALN
Aluminium nitride ( Al N) is a solid nitride of aluminium. It has a high thermal conductivity of up to 321 W/(m·K) and is an electrical insulator. Its wurtzite phase (w-AlN) has a band gap of ~6 eV at room temperature and has a potent ...
), founded in 1978 as a royalist party, is nowadays a liberal party.
* : the
Liberal and Democratic Party of Mozambique
The Liberal and Democratic Party of Mozambique () is a liberal party in Mozambique.
See also
*Liberalism
*Contributions to liberal theory
*Liberalism worldwide
*List of liberal parties
*Liberal democracy
Liberal democracy is the combination ...
( pt, Partido Liberal e Democrático de Moçambique) and the
Social Liberal and Democratic Party
The Social Liberal and Democratic Party ( pt, Partido Social-Liberal e Democrático) is a liberal party in Mozambique.
See also
*Liberalism
*Social liberalism
*Contributions to liberal theory
*Liberalism worldwide
*List of liberal parties
*Lib ...
( pt, Partido Social-Liberal e Democrático) claim to be liberal parties, but both lost parliamentary representation.
* : the
Senegalese Democratic Party
The Senegalese Democratic Party (french: Parti démocratique sénégalais) is a political party in Senegal. The party considers itself a liberal party and is a member of the Liberal International. Abdoulaye Wade, who was President of Senegal from ...
(french: Parti Démocratique Sénégalais, member
LI) is a liberal party with a strong personalist character. ''See for more information:
Liberalism in Senegal. ''
* : the
Seychelles National Party
The Seychelles National Party (SNP) is a liberal political party in Seychelles. Its followers emphasize active multiparty democracy, respect for human rights and liberal economic reforms. It was founded in response to what it called the "totalit ...
(observer
LI) is a liberal party.
* : the
People's Movement for Democratic Change
The People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) is a liberal party in Sierra Leone. It is a breakaway faction of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). It was officially registered on 19 January 2006. The party is led by Charles Margai, the ...
(member
ALN
Aluminium nitride ( Al N) is a solid nitride of aluminium. It has a high thermal conductivity of up to 321 W/(m·K) and is an electrical insulator. Its wurtzite phase (w-AlN) has a band gap of ~6 eV at room temperature and has a potent ...
, observer
DUA
In Islam, ( ar, دعاء , plural: ' ) is a prayer of invocation, supplication or request, even asking help or assistance from God.
Role in Islam
Muslims regard this as a profound act of worship. Muhammad is reported to have said ...
) can be considered as a liberal party. It is the country's third largest party but lost parliamentary representation in 2012.
* : the
Democratic Alliance (member
LI) is a liberal party. ''See for more information:
Liberalism in South Africa
Liberalism in South Africa has encompassed various traditions and parties.
The moderate South African Party and its successor, the United Party, formed government several times between the formation of the Union and the election of the Natio ...
. ''
* : the
Liberal Party of Sudan (member
ALN
Aluminium nitride ( Al N) is a solid nitride of aluminium. It has a high thermal conductivity of up to 321 W/(m·K) and is an electrical insulator. Its wurtzite phase (w-AlN) has a band gap of ~6 eV at room temperature and has a potent ...
,
AAFD) is a social-liberal party struggling for human rights and a social market economy.
* : the
Civic United Front
The Civic United Front (CUF; sw, Chama Cha Wananchi, ) is a liberal party in Tanzania. Although nationally based, most of the CUF's support comes from the Zanzibar islands of Unguja and Pemba. The party is a member of Liberal International.
...
( sw, Chama Cha Wananchi), member
LI) and the
United Democratic Party, observer
LI are liberal parties.
* : the
Social Liberal Party (french: Parti social-libéral, observer
LI) is a more or less liberal party.
* : the main opposition party, the
United Party for National Development
The United Party for National Development (UPND) is a social liberal political party in Zambia, led by Hakainde Hichilema, the current president of the country. The party is an observer member of the Africa Liberal Network.
History
The UPND was ...
(observer
LI) takes a liberal position in the political spectrum.
* : liberalism is not organized, but the left-leaning opposition
Movement for Democratic Change Movement for Democratic Change or MDC may refer to:
* Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC–T), the former main opposition party in Zimbabwe
** Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai Congress 2006, the second MDC–T congress ...
includes liberals and social democrats opposed to the ruling
ZANU–PF
The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) is a political organisation which has been the ruling party of Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. The party was led for many years under Robert Mugabe, first as prime ministe ...
party.
The Americas
In many Latin American countries, liberalism and radicalism have been associated with generally left-of-center political movements such as Colombia's Liberal Party, historically concerned mostly with effecting government decentralization and regional autonomy (liberals were influential in the total dissolution of at least two defunct countries, the
United Provinces of Central America
The Federal Republic of Central America ( es, República Federal de Centroamérica), originally named the United Provinces of Central America ( es, Provincias Unidas del Centro de América), and sometimes simply called Central America, in it ...
and
Gran Colombia
Gran Colombia (, "Great Colombia"), or Greater Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia (Spanish: ''República de Colombia''), was a state that encompassed much of northern South America and part of southern Central America from 1819 to 18 ...
) and
separation of church and state
The separation of church and state is a philosophical and jurisprudential concept for defining political distance in the relationship between religious organizations and the state. Conceptually, the term refers to the creation of a secular sta ...
. At times, the anti-clerical and secularist stances promoted by Latin American liberals have resulted in limitations on the civil rights of clergy or others associated with the Church (as in Mexico, where law still prohibits priests from public office). Liberalism in North America has a different background.
* : the
Radical Civic Union
The Radical Civic Union ( es, Unión Cívica Radical, UCR) is a centrist and social-liberal political party in Argentina. It has been ideologically heterogeneous, ranging from social liberalism to social democracy. The UCR is a member of the So ...
historically was a centrist progressive-liberal party, while nowadays it adheres to the
Socialist International
The Socialist International (SI) is a political international or worldwide organisation of political parties which seek to establish democratic socialism. It consists mostly of socialist and labour-oriented political parties and organisations. ...
and its platform is a combination of liberal and social democratic ideas. The UCR's long-time rivals have been
Peronism
Peronism, also called justicialism,. The Justicialist Party is the main Peronist party in Argentina, it derives its name from the concept of social justice., name=, group= is an Argentine political movement based on the ideas and legacy of Ar ...
and the Peronist-inspired
Justicialist Party
The Justicialist Party ( es, Partido Justicialista, ; abbr. PJ) is a major political party in Argentina, and the largest branch within Peronism.
Current president Alberto Fernández belongs to the Justicialist Party (and has, since 2021, served ...
.
Recreate for Growth
Recreate for Growth ( es, Recrear para el Crecimiento, often just Recrear) was a centre-right political party in Argentina, principally active in the Province of Buenos Aires.
It existed from 2002 to 2009 and again during 2020, from August to N ...
had been a short lived attempt to form a market liberal party and has observer status in the
Liberal International
Liberal International (LI) is a worldwide organization of liberal political parties - a political international. It was founded in Oxford in 1947 and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties, aiming to strengthen liberalism around ...
. This party was in alliance with conservative-liberal
Republican Proposal
Republican Proposal ( es, link=no, Propuesta Republicana) is a centre-right
political party in Argentina. It is usually referred to by its abbreviation, PRO. PRO was formed as an electoral alliance in 2005, but was transformed into a national p ...
. Also smaller parties, such as the
Union of the Democratic Centre, the
Progressive Democratic Party, the
Liberal Party of Corrientes
The Liberal Party of Corrientes ( es, Partido Liberal de Corrientes) is a liberal provincial political party in Corrientes Province, Argentina. Founded in 1856, it is the oldest political party in Argentina still active.[Democratic Party of Mendoza
The Democratic Party is a provincial conservative and liberal party in Mendoza, Argentina. It was founded in 1931.
History and principles
Since the return of the democracy in 1983, the party has been the third political force in Mendoza, excep ...]
, adhere to conservative-liberal principles. On the libertarian side, stands the
Liberal Libertarian Party
The Liberal Libertarian Party ( es, Partido Liberal Libertario) was a political party from Argentina founded in 2009. It defines itself both as a classical liberal and libertarian party. Its political platform advocates limited government, free ...
(dissolved) and the
Libertarian Party
Active parties by country
Defunct parties by country
Organizations associated with Libertarian parties
See also
* Liberal parties by country
* List of libertarian organizations
* Lists of political parties
Lists of political part ...
(now) whose focus is on free markets and individual rights.
* : the character of the
Aruban Liberal Organization (Organisacion Liberal Arubiano) is not clear. The party lost parliamentary representation in the 2005 election.
* : the dominant party is the left of center liberal
Progressive Liberal Party
The Progressive Liberal Party (abbreviated PLP) is a populist and social liberal party in the Bahamas. Philip Davis is the leader of the party.
History
The PLP was founded in 1953 by William Cartwright, Cyril Stevenson, and Henry Milton Tay ...
.
* : the Liberal Party was dominant until 1952. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Bolivia).''
* : Liberalism (in a general, international acceptance) is represented only by the recently founded
New Party ( pt, Partido Novo). There are no mainstream parties currently holding unambiguous liberal principles nor any members of the
Liberal International
Liberal International (LI) is a worldwide organization of liberal political parties - a political international. It was founded in Oxford in 1947 and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties, aiming to strengthen liberalism around ...
. While at least three parties label themselves as "liberal", the
Liberal Front Party
The Democrats ( pt, Democratas, DEM) was a centre-right political party in Brazil that merged with the Social Liberal Party to found the Brazil Union in 2021. It was founded in 1985 under the name of Liberal Front Party (''Partido da Frente Libe ...
(Partido da Frente Liberal), renamed
Democrats ( pt, Democratas) in 2007, is actually a
conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
party. The
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left.
__TOC__ Active liberal parties
This is a li ...
( pt, Partido Liberal), is a populist-conservative party with links to religious organizations, and the
Social Liberal Party ( pt, Partido Social Liberal) is a conservative party. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Brazil
This article gives an overview of liberal parties in Brazil. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. Fo ...
).''
* : ''Liberal'' refers mainly to the policies and ideas of the
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada (french: Parti libéral du Canada, region=CA) is a federal political party in Canada. The party espouses the principles of liberalism,McCall, Christina; Stephen Clarkson"Liberal Party". ''The Canadian Encyclopedia'' ...
/french: Parti Libéral du Canada (member
LI), the most frequent governing party of Canada for the last century and one of the most successful
liberal
Liberal or liberalism may refer to:
Politics
* a supporter of liberalism
** Liberalism by country
* an adherent of a Liberal Party
* Liberalism (international relations)
* Sexually liberal feminism
* Social liberalism
Arts, entertainment and m ...
parties
A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature ...
in the world. The Liberal Party of Canada has generally adhered to
modern liberalism, supporting a welfare state, and is regarded as a centrist to centre-left party in the Canadian context although some provincial parties such as the
British Columbia Liberal Party
The British Columbia Liberal Party, often shortened to the BC Liberals, is a Centre-right politics, centre-right provincial political party in British Columbia, Canada. The party currently forms the Official Opposition. Subsequent to the 2020 Br ...
and
Quebec Liberal Party
The Quebec Liberal Party (QLP; french: Parti libéral du Québec, PLQ) is a provincial political party in Quebec. It has been independent of the federal Liberal Party of Canada since 1955. The QLP has always been associated with the colour red; e ...
combine liberalism with
conservative
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization i ...
ideas. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Canada
Liberalism has been a major trend in Canadian politics since the late 18th century. Canada has the same features of other liberal democracies in the Western democratic political tradition. This article gives an overview of liberalism in Canada. ...
)''.
* : the
Social Democrat Radical Party
The Radical Party of Chile ( es, Partido Radical de Chile), is a social-democratic political party in Chile.
The party was founded as the Social Democrat Radical Party (''Partido Radical Socialdemócrata'') on 18 August 1994 out of a union ...
( es, Partido Radical Social-Democráta, member
SI) was originally a left-of-center liberal party, but nowadays it is a social democratic party. The
Liberal Party of Chile ( es, Partido Liberal de Chile, member
LI) is a left-of-center social liberal party.
Political Evolution
Politics (from , ) is the set of activities that are associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status. The branch of social science that studies ...
(Evopoli) is a center-right political party, part of the governing coalition and a member of
RELIAL. ''(Main article:
Liberalism and radicalism in Chile
This article gives an overview of liberal and radical parties in Chile. It is limited to liberal and radical parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another ...
).''
* : the liberal current developed into the
Colombian Liberal Party
The Colombian Liberal Party ( es, Partido Liberal Colombiano; PLC) is a centre to centre-left political party in Colombia. It was founded as a classical liberal party but later developed a more social-democratic tradition, joining the Socialis ...
( es, Partido Liberal Colombiano, despite its name an active member of the
SI), which is a left of center, somewhat populist party, somewhere between liberalism and social democracy. Newer parties like
Partido Cambio Radical
Radical Change ( es, Cambio Radical; stylized with a backwards "R") is a conservative liberal political party in Colombia.
After the elections on 12 March 2006, the party became one of the most important in the new Congress, receiving 20 seat ...
and
Social National Unity Party
The Union Party for the People ( es, Partido de la Unión por la Gente), or Party of the U ( es, Partido de la U), is a liberal political party in Colombia. The Party is led by former president Juan Manuel Santos. It was formerly Colombia's larg ...
have taken
classical liberal
Classical liberalism is a political tradition and a branch of liberalism that advocates free market and laissez-faire economics; civil liberties under the rule of law with especial emphasis on individual autonomy, limited government, economic ...
ideas. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Colombia
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Colombia. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For i ...
).''
* : the
Libertarian Movement Party
The Libertarian Movement Party ( es, Partido Movimiento Libertario; PML) is a political party based on libertarian conservatism in Costa Rica. It was founded in May 1994. After an important protagonism during early 2000s with its perennial no ...
( es, Partido Movimiento Libertario, observer
LI) is a classical liberal (libertarian) party.
* : it has been legal to form
political parties
A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections. It is common for the members of a party to hold similar ideas about politics, and parties may promote specific ideological or pol ...
since 1992, but only the
Communist Party of Cuba
The Communist Party of Cuba ( es, Partido Comunista de Cuba, PCC) is the sole ruling party of Cuba. It was founded on 3 October 1965 as the successor to the United Party of the Cuban Socialist Revolution, which was in turn made up of the 26t ...
is allowed to be the ruling party. The three liberal parties
Liberal Democratic Party ( es, Partido Liberal Democratico, observer
LI),
Democratic Solidarity Party
The Democratic Solidarity Party (''Partido Solidaridad Democrática'') was a political liberal party in Cuba. Although changes to the Cuban constitution in 1992 decriminalized the right to form political parties other than the Communist Party of ...
(Partido Solidaridad Democratica, observer
LI),
Cuban Liberal Union
The Cuban Liberal Union ( es, Unión Liberal Cubana) is a liberal party in Cuba. The party is a member of Liberal International.
See also
* List of political parties in Cuba
*Liberalism worldwide
*List of liberal parties
This article give ...
(Unión Liberal Cubana, member of the
Liberal International
Liberal International (LI) is a worldwide organization of liberal political parties - a political international. It was founded in Oxford in 1947 and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal parties, aiming to strengthen liberalism around ...
) and the
Cuban Liberal Movement
The National Liberal Party of Cuba ( es, Partido Liberal Nacional de Cuba, PLNC) was a political party of Cuba, founded in 2004 and dissolved in 2014.
History
The party was founded under the name Cuban Liberal Movement ( es, Movimiento Liberal C ...
(Movimiento Liberal Cubano) are located in
Havana
Havana (; Spanish: ''La Habana'' ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center. , but they are not allowed to participate in elections.
* : the originally left-wing
Dominican Liberation Party
The Dominican Liberation Party (Spanish: Partido de la Liberación Dominicana, referred to here by its Spanish acronym, the PLD) is a political party in the Dominican Republic. Founded in 1973 by former president Juan Bosch, the party, along ...
( es, Partido de la Liberacíon Dominicana) developed into a center liberal party. The
Liberal Reformist Party (Partido Reformista Liberal) is also a center liberal party.
* : the
Alfarista Radical Front
The Alfarista Radical Front (, FRA) was a centrist liberal party in Ecuador, founded in 1972. One of its best known figures was former acting president Fabián Alarcón.
The party was named after the most prominent liberal politician in Ecuadori ...
(Frente Radical Alfarista) and the
Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party
The Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party ( es, Partido Liberal Radical Ecuatoriano, abbreviated as ''PLRE'') was a liberal party in Ecuador and is one of the oldest existing political parties in Ecuador.
History
The party evolved out of divisions be ...
( es, Partido Liberal Radical Ecuatoriana) are two small remainders of the traditional liberal current. ''(Main article:
Liberalism and radicalism in Ecuador
This article gives an overview of political liberalism and radicalism in Ecuador. It is limited to liberal and radical parties with substantial support, mainly proven by having had representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to a ...
).''
* :
Atassut
Atassut ( en, Cohesion / Link / Togetherness / Solidarity; also referred to as Feeling of Community) is a liberal-conservative and unionist political party in Greenland. Founded on 29 April 1978, Atassut is an established partner of the Libera ...
is a right-of-center liberal party. The
Democrats ( kl, Demokraatit) and the
Cooperation Party
The Cooperation Party ( da, Samarbejdspartiet; kl, Suleqatigiissitsisut) is a Greenlandic liberal party founded in March 2018 by Inatsisartut MPs Michael Rosing and Tillie Martinussen, both formerly of the Democrats.
The party advocates economi ...
( kl, Suleqatigiissitsisut) are social liberal parties. They all oppose separation from Denmark.
* : the
National Democratic Congress is a center liberal party.
* : the
Liberal Party of Honduras
The Liberal Party of Honduras ( Spanish: ''Partido Liberal de Honduras)'' is a centrist liberal political party in Honduras that was founded in 1891. It is the oldest extant political party in the country, and one of the two main parties that ...
(Partido Liberal de Honduras, member
LI and
RELIAL) is the traditional center liberal party. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Honduras
Liberalism in Honduras is a form of Latin American liberalism. It was influenced by French revolutionaries from 1789 to 1799, when the door was open for ideas of positivism. During this time the populace were exposed to liberal ideas such as: l ...
).''
* : liberalism is represented by the
New Alliance Party
The New Alliance Party (NAP) was an American political party formed in New York City in 1979. Its immediate precursor was an umbrella organization known as the Labor Community Alliance for Change, whose member groups included the Coalition of G ...
( es, Partido Nueva Alianza), member
LI). ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Mexico
Liberalism in Mexico was part of a broader nineteenth-century political trend affecting Western Europe and the Americas, including the United States, that challenged entrenched power. In Mexico, liberalism sought to make fundamental the equality ...
).''
* : the liberal character of the right-wing
Constitutionalist Liberal Party
The Constitutionalist Liberal Party ( es, Partido Liberal Constitucionalista, PLC) is a political party in Nicaragua. At the 2006 Nicaraguan general election, Nicaraguan general election of 5 November 2006, the party won 25 of 92 seats in the N ...
( es, Partido Liberal Constitucionalista, former member
LI) is disputable. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Nicaragua
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Nicaragua. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. For inclusion in this scheme it is not necessary so that parties lab ...
).''
* : the
Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement
The Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement ( es, Movimiento Liberal Republicano Nacionalista, MOLIRENA) is a centre-right conservative-liberal political party in Panama.
History
The MOLIRENA was founded on October 21, 1981, by the now-defunc ...
( es, Partido Movimiento Liberal Republicano Nacionalista) is a center-right liberal party. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Panama
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Panama. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another party in that scheme. For inclu ...
).''
* : the
Authentic Radical Liberal Party
The Authentic Radical Liberal Party ( es, Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico or ''PLRA'') is a centrist liberal political party in Paraguay. The party is a full member of Liberal International. The ''liberales'', as they are known, are the leadi ...
( es, Partido Liberal Radical Auténtico, member
LI and
RELIAL) is a center liberal party. ''(Main article:
Liberalism and radicalism in Paraguay
This article gives an overview of liberalism and radicalism in Paraguay. It is limited to liberal and radical parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ means a reference to another ...
).''
* : the only political party to advocate classical liberalism is
Liberty Movement
Liberty Movement () was a classical liberal political party in Peru. It was founded in 1987 by people who opposed decrees such as the nationalization of the banking sector in 1986 under the first presidency of Alan García. Instead it advocated ...
, founded in 1987, revamped in 2003; We Are Free; Humanist List; Independence Party; Liberal Party; National Union or Radical Party; Liberal Party of Peru; Progressive Club. In Fujimorian-occupied Peru: social liberal Justice Party.
* : the
Popular Democratic Party ( es, Partido Popular Democrático) is a left of center liberal party.
* : the
Democratic Alternative '91
The Democratic Alternative '91 ( nl, Democratisch Alternatief '91, DA'91) is a liberal political party in Suriname.
History
The DA '91 was founded in 1991 when it split off from the National Party of Suriname. The party was founded shortly befo ...
( nl, Democratisch Alternatief '91) is a center liberal party.
* : the
People's National Movement
The People's National Movement (PNM) is the longest-serving and oldest active political party in Trinidad and Tobago. The party has dominated national and local politics for much of Trinidad and Tobago's history, contesting all elections sinc ...
is a liberal centrist to centre-left party.
* : the primary use of the term ''liberal'' is at some variance with European and worldwide usage. In the United States today, it is most associated with the definition of
modern liberalism, which is a combination of
social liberalism
Social liberalism (german: Sozialliberalismus, es, socioliberalismo, nl, Sociaalliberalisme), also known as new liberalism in the United Kingdom, modern liberalism, or simply liberalism in the contemporary United States, left-liberalism ...
,
public welfare
Welfare, or commonly social welfare, is a type of government support intended to ensure that members of a society can meet basic human needs such as food and shelter. Social security may either be synonymous with welfare, or refer specificall ...
and a
mixed economy
A mixed economy is variously defined as an economic system blending elements of a market economy with elements of a planned economy, markets with state interventionism, or private enterprise with public enterprise. Common to all mixed economi ...
,
["Liberalism in America: A Note for Europeans"](_blank)
by Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. (1956)from: ''The Politics of Hope'' (Boston: Riverside Press, 1962). which is in contrast to
classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is a political tradition
Political culture describes how culture impacts politics. Every political system is embedded in a particular political culture.
Definition
Gabriel Almond defines it as "the particular patt ...
. The
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
was the party of free trade, low tariffs and laissez-faire economics (though with relatively consistent advocacy for the rights of working-class supporters, which persists to the present), while the
Republican Party advocated national citizenship, protectionism, mercantilism, and government efforts to stabilize the currency (as well as a relatively consistent support for the interests of their upper-class and pro-business supporters which persists to the present). Liberalism in the United States was primarily defined by the self-proclaimed liberal presidents
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856February 3, 1924) was an American politician and academic who served as the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921. A member of the Democratic Party, Wilson served as the president of ...
and
Franklin Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (; ; January 30, 1882April 12, 1945), often referred to by his initials FDR, was an American politician and attorney who served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. As the ...
. While the emphasis on mutual collaboration through liberal institutions as an alternative to the threat and use of force remained consistent with international liberalism, United States liberals also claimed that individuals have a right to expect the government to guarantee
social justice
Social justice is justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. In Western and Asian cultures, the concept of social justice has often referred to the process of ensuring that individuals fu ...
. This was in part a consequence of the influence of the ideas of British economist
John Maynard Keynes
John Maynard Keynes, 1st Baron Keynes, ( ; 5 June 1883 – 21 April 1946), was an English economist whose ideas fundamentally changed the theory and practice of macroeconomics and the economic policies of governments. Originally trained in ...
on
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (; ; January 30, 1882April 12, 1945), often referred to by his initials FDR, was an American politician and attorney who served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. As the ...
's
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States between 1933 and 1939. Major federal programs agencies included the Civilian Cons ...
. The New Deal had the effect of stealing the thunder of social democratic forces and the necessity to prevent social unrest strengthened this development. As the term ''
socialism
Socialism is a left-wing economic philosophy and movement encompassing a range of economic systems characterized by the dominance of social ownership of the means of production as opposed to private ownership. As a term, it describes the e ...
'' was (and is still) commonly perceived as communistic (as in the
ideology of the USSR), many to the left of center moderated their views, aligning with the New Deal liberals. The Democratic Party is identified as the liberal party within the broader definition of
liberalism
Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality and equality before the law."political rationalism, hostility to autocracy, cultural distaste for c ...
thus putting it in contrast with most other parties listed here. Democrats advocate more social freedoms,
affirmative action, and a mixed economy (and therefore modern liberalism). The
Republican Party experiences a somewhat fractured economic viewpoint with some members supporting strong free-market and
libertarian
Libertarianism (from french: libertaire, "libertarian"; from la, libertas, "freedom") is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's e ...
views (and therefore
economic liberalism
Economic liberalism is a political and economic ideology that supports a market economy based on individualism and private property in the means of production. Adam Smith is considered one of the primary initial writers on economic liberalism ...
) and others championing pro-business and
economic nationalist
Economic nationalism, also called economic patriotism and economic populism, is an ideology that favors state interventionism over other market mechanisms, with policies such as domestic control of the economy, labor, and capital formation, incl ...
stances, though both sectors typically mix their fiscal views with strong aspects of
social conservatism
Social conservatism is a political philosophy and variety of conservatism which places emphasis on traditional power structures over social pluralism. Social conservatives organize in favor of duty, traditional values and social institutio ...
. The
Libertarian Party
Active parties by country
Defunct parties by country
Organizations associated with Libertarian parties
See also
* Liberal parties by country
* List of libertarian organizations
* Lists of political parties
Lists of political part ...
is the third largest political party in the United States, (though still only getting 1–2% of the vote in congressional elections), and particularly centers itself on free markets and individual liberty, which is more in line with
classical liberalism
Classical liberalism is a political tradition
Political culture describes how culture impacts politics. Every political system is embedded in a particular political culture.
Definition
Gabriel Almond defines it as "the particular patt ...
. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in the United States
Liberalism in the United States is a political and moral philosophy based on concepts of unalienable rights of the individual. The fundamental liberal ideals of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, the separation of chu ...
and
Modern liberalism in the United States
Modern liberalism in the United States, often simply referred to in the United States as liberalism, is a form of social liberalism found in American politics. It combines ideas of civil liberty and equality with support for social justice an ...
)''
* : liberalism organized itself in the nineteenth century in the
Colorado Party ( es, Partido Colorado) nowadays a heterogeneous party, divided in factions ranging from conservative to social-democratic; however, its general profile is more or less liberal. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Uruguay
Liberalism in Uruguay organized itself in the nineteenth century in the Colorado Party (Uruguay), Colorado (or Red) Party, (''Partido Colorado'') nowadays an heterogeneous party, divided in factions ranging from Moderate to social democracy. Its ge ...
).''
* : liberalism was a strong force in the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century. Nowadays there are three important classical liberal movements (still no parties):
Organization for the Liberal Democracy in Venezuela ( es, Organización por la Democracia Liberal en Venezuela), a classical liberal, pro-capitalism think-tank; Liberal Democratic Movement (
Movimiento Demócrata Liberal) and "
Rumbo Propio para el Zulia" from Maracaibo, Zulia, a classical liberal autonomist movement. They are going to create together a political party in the next years. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Venezuela).''
Asia
Liberalism has or had some tradition in some countries. Nowadays it is a growing current in East Asia, but in many of these countries liberals tend not to use the label ''liberal''.
:''Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Russia, and Turkey are listed under Europe.''
* : the
Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party is a small liberal democratic party.
* : the
Candlelight Party
The Candlelight Party ( km, គណបក្សភ្លើងទៀន) is a liberal party in Cambodia. The party was a member of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, Liberal International, and the Alliance of Democrats. It is the largest ...
(, member
CALD), claims to be a more or less liberal party, though some dispute this and consider it a xenophobic party.
* : the
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
is a liberal party, strongly emphasizing the need of democratic reforms. The
Civic Party
The Civic Party (CP) is a pro-democracy liberal political party in Hong Kong. It is currently chaired by barrister Alan Leong.
The party was formed in 2006 on the basis of the Basic Law Article 45 Concern Group, which was derived from the ...
is also a liberal party. The
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left.
__TOC__ Active liberal parties
This is a li ...
is often considered to be a conservative, pro-business party.
* : Liberalism is currently unrepresented. However two centrist parties,
INC
Inc. or inc may refer to:
* Incorporation (business), as a suffix indicating a corporation
* ''Inc.'' (magazine), an American business magazine
* Inc. No World, a Los Angeles-based band
* Indian National Congress, a political party in India
* I ...
and
NCP
NCP may refer to:
Science and medicine
* Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (a temporary name for COVID-19), an outbreak that was officially identified in late 2019.
* HIV-1 nucleocapsid protein 7 (NCp7), a target of zinc finger inhibitors
* Nucleosome ...
have been described as liberal.''(Main article:
Liberalism in India
This article gives an overview of liberalism in India.
History
Soon after Indian independence, Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari (informally called Rajaji), began to see the risks to India of letting Nehru's fervor for socialism go unchallenged. Ra ...
).''
* : liberalism is forbidden and its members have been killed in the past. The Liberal Democratic Party of Iran is forced to exist in exile (based in Sweden). ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Iran
Liberalism in Iran or Iranian liberalism is a political ideology that traces its beginnings to the 20th century.
Iranian Liberalism during 1900–1979 Society for the Progress of Iran
During the constitutional period of Persia and active ...
).''
* :
Yesh Atid
Yesh Atid ( he, יֵשׁ עָתִיד, , There Is a Future) is a liberal political party in Israel. Founded by Yair Lapid in 2012, it seeks to represent what it considers the centre of Israeli society: the secular middle class. It focuses prima ...
( he, יש עתיד, translation=There Is a Future, member of
LI) is the second biggest party in the
Israeli Parliament
The Knesset ( he, הַכְּנֶסֶת ; "gathering" or "assembly") is the unicameral legislature of Israel. As the supreme state body, the Knesset is sovereign and thus has complete control of the entirety of the Israeli government (with ...
with a strongly anti-clerical, liberal ideology. In the early 2000s, some
Likud
Likud ( he, הַלִּיכּוּד, HaLikud, The Consolidation), officially known as Likud – National Liberal Movement, is a major centre-right to right-wing political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon ...
and
Labor
Labour or labor may refer to:
* Childbirth, the delivery of a baby
* Labour (human activity), or work
** Manual labour, physical work
** Wage labour, a socioeconomic relationship between a worker and an employer
** Organized labour and the labour ...
members formed a new liberal party called
Kadima
Kadima ( he, קדימה, lit=''Forward'') was a centrist and liberal political party in Israel. It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Likud largely following the implementation of Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan ...
. The center-right
Likud
Likud ( he, הַלִּיכּוּד, HaLikud, The Consolidation), officially known as Likud – National Liberal Movement, is a major centre-right to right-wing political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon ...
calls itself a National-Liberal Party.
* : the word liberal is used by the main conservative party, the
Liberal Democratic Party (Jiyu Minshuto). The
Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to:
*Democratic Party (United States)
Democratic Party and similar terms may also refer to:
Active parties Africa
*Botswana Democratic Party
*Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea
*Gabonese Democratic Party
*Demo ...
(Minshintō) is a social liberal centrist party. The
Liberal League (Jiyu Rengo) was considered to be a free-market liberal party.
Your Party
is a Japanese parliamentary caucus consisting of Yoshimi Watanabe and Takashi Tachibana, later Satoshi Hamada after Tachibana forfeited his seat, in the House of Councillors. It was also a political party led by Watanabe from 2009 until its d ...
was a market liberal or libertarian party. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Japan
Japanese liberalism formed in the nineteenth century as a reaction against traditional society. In the twentieth century 'liberal' gradually became a synonym for conservative, and today the main conservative party in the country is named Liber ...
).''
* : The
Democratic Party of Korea
The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK; ), formerly known as the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), is a liberal political party in South Korea. Controlling the unicameral National Assembly as of 2022, the DPK is regarded as one of two maj ...
is a liberal party. The predecessors of Democratic Party, which included the disbanded
Uri Party
The Yeollin Uri Party (), generally abbreviated to Uri Party (), was the ruling political party in South Korea from 2003–2007. It had a liberal political ideology in order to support then President Roh Moo-hyun. Chung Sye Kyun was the last le ...
(Yeollin Uri Dang), the
UNDP
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)french: Programme des Nations unies pour le développement, PNUD is a United Nations agency tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human dev ...
(Daetonghap Minju Sindang),
Democratic Party),
Democratic United Party
The Democratic Party (; DP), formerly the Democratic United Party (; DUP) until 2013, was a liberal political party in South Korea, and for the duration of its existence the country's main opposition force.
On 15 December 2011, the Democrati ...
and
Creative Korea Party
Creative Korea Party (; CKP) was a political party of South Korea. It was formed out of the Uri Party and its resulting civil splinter groups, with their leader Moon Kook-hyun, a well-known former business leader who recently started his poli ...
are liberal parties. But there are also cases like conservative-liberal parties such as the
People Party and
Bareunmirae Party
The Bareunmirae Party (), also known as the Bareun Mirae Party and Bareun Future Party, was a South Korean liberal-conservative political party. It was founded in 2018 by merger of the centrist liberal People's Party and the conservative Bareu ...
that are allied with
conservatives
Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...
. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in South Korea
This article gives an overview of Liberalism () in South Korea. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proven by having had a representation in parliament.
Historically, the liberal movement in the South Korean began ...
).''
* : the
National Liberal Party (Hizb al-Ahrar al-Watani) is a liberal pro-independence party.
* : the
Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia
The Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia ( en, Malaysian People's Movement Party, commonly abbreviated as GERAKAN or less commonly as PGRM) is a liberal political party in Malaysia. Formed in 1968, Gerakan gained prominence in the 1969 general electio ...
(Malaysian People's Movement Party, member
CALD) seems to be a more or less liberal party.
* : the
Civil Will–Green Party
The Civil Will–Green Party ( mn, Иргэний Зориг–Ногоон Нам, ''Irgenii Zorig–Nogoon Nam'') is a green liberal political party in Mongolia.
Civil Will Party
Civil Will Party was established on March 9, 2000, with Sanjaas ...
(Irgenii Zorig-Nogoon Nam, member
LI,
CALD,
GG) was founded in 2012 by a merger of the market liberal
Civil Will Party
Civil may refer to:
*Civic virtue, or civility
*Civil action, or lawsuit
* Civil affairs
*Civil and political rights
*Civil disobedience
*Civil engineering
*Civil (journalism), a platform for independent journalism
*Civilian, someone not a membe ...
(Irgenii Zorig Nam) and the
Mongolian Green Party
The Mongolian Green Party ( mn, Монголын Ногоон Нам) is a green party in Mongolia. It was founded in 1990, the year Mongolia became a multi-party democracy, and was the first green party founded in Asia. From 1996 until 2000 the ...
(Mongolyn Nogoon Nam) who both had worked for protecting human rights and democracy. The new party combines market liberal and green values.
* : the
National League for Democracy
The National League for Democracy ( my, အမျိုးသား ဒီမိုကရေစီ အဖွဲ့ချုပ်, ; Abbreviation, abbr. NLD; Burmese abbr. ဒီချုပ်) is a liberal democratic political party in Myanm ...
, observer
CALD, a party with liberal democratic elements, became the biggest parliamentary party at the latest election. It won a parliamentary majority in the 1990 election but the result was not recognised by the military and the party was suppressed until 2012.
* : the
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan People's Party ( ur, , ; PPP) is a centre-left, social-democratic political party in Pakistan. It is currently the third largest party in the National Assembly and second largest in the Senate of Pakistan. The party was founded ...
is a progressive center left political party.
* : the
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left.
__TOC__ Active liberal parties
This is a li ...
, member
LI,
CALD) is a center liberal party. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in the Philippines
The Liberal Party (Filipino and Spanish: ''Partido Liberal''), abbreviated as the LP, is a liberal political party in the Philippines.
Founded on January 19, 1946, by Senate President Manuel Roxas, Senate President Pro-Tempore Elpidio Quirino, ...
).''
* : the populist, liberal
Singapore Democratic Party
The Singapore Democratic Party (abbreviation: SDP) is a politcal party in Singapore.
The party was founded on 6 August 1980 by Chiam See Tong. During the 1991 general election, Ling How Doong and Cheo Chai Chen won Bukit Gombak SMC and Nee ...
(member
CALD) is not represented in parliament.
* : the
Liberal Party of Sri Lanka
After thirty five years in existence The Liberal Party was renamed as The Liberal Democratic Party in June 19th of 2022, The first congress was held in 26th if July 2022. Present leader of the Party is Kamal Nissanka and Secretary General is Amal ...
is a small liberal party.
* : the
Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a Taiwanese nationalist and centre-left political party in the Republic of China (Taiwan). Controlling both the Republic of China presidency and the unicameral Legislative Yuan, it is the majori ...
(Min-chu Chin-pu Tang, member
LI,
CALD) is a left-liberal party. The
Taiwan Solidarity Union
The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) is a political party in Taiwan which advocates Taiwan independence, and is affiliated with the Taiwanese localization movement. It was officially founded on 12 August 2001 and is considered part of the Pan-Gr ...
is a characterised primarily by its Taiwanese nationalism and derives its membership from both the
Chinese Nationalist Party
The Kuomintang (KMT), also referred to as the Guomindang (GMD), the Nationalist Party of China (NPC) or the Chinese Nationalist Party (CNP), is a major political party in the Republic of China, initially on the Chinese mainland and in Ta ...
's former moderate and Taiwan-oriented fringe and DPP supporters disgruntled by the party's moderation on the question of Taiwanese sovereignty. Its liberal character is questionable, although it is part of the DPP's left-of-centre and pro-Taiwanese Independence Pan-Green alliance (in contrast with the conservative
Chinese Nationalist Party
The Kuomintang (KMT), also referred to as the Guomindang (GMD), the Nationalist Party of China (NPC) or the Chinese Nationalist Party (CNP), is a major political party in the Republic of China, initially on the Chinese mainland and in Ta ...
(Kuomintang) and
People First Party.) ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Taiwan).''
* : the
Democrat Party (Pak Prachatipat, member
LI,
CALD) is a
conservative-liberal party. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Thailand
Until 22 May 2014, the politics of Thailand were conducted within the framework of a constitutional monarchy, whereby the prime minister is the head of government and a hereditary monarch is head of state. The judiciary is independent of the ex ...
).''
Europe
At a pan-European level liberalism exists in some form within generally all members of the
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party
An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...
(ALDE), within most members of the
European Democratic Party
The European Democratic Party (EDP) ( French: Parti Démocrate Européen; PDE) also known as the European Democrats, is a centrist European political party in favour of European integration. François Bayrou is the President of the party.
All ...
(EDP), within many members of the
European People's Party
The European People's Party (EPP) is a European political party with Christian-democratic, conservative, and liberal-conservative member parties. A transnational organisation, it is composed of other political parties. Founded by primarily Ch ...
(EPP) and some members of the
Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists (AECR).
* : Two parties could be considered to embrace liberal values: the
Democratic Alliance Party (, member
LI,
ALDE) and the
Unity for Human Rights Party
The Unity for Human Rights Party ( sq, Partia Bashkimi për të Drejtat e Njeriut, el, Κόμμα Ένωσης Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων) is a social-liberal political party in Albania supporting the Greek minority. Founded in ...
( sq, Partia Bashkimi për të Drejtat e Njeriut, el, Κόμμα Ένωσης Ανθρωπίνων Δικαιωμάτων), which is the party of the ethnic minorities. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Albania
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Albania. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ denotes another party in that scheme. For inclusion in t ...
.)''
* : the
Liberal Party of Andorra
The Liberals of Andorra ( ca, Liberals d'Andorra, LA) is a conservative-liberal political party in Andorra. It is a member of the Liberal International and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
History
The party was established a ...
( ca, Partit Liberal d'Andorra, member
LI,
ALDE) is a centre-right liberal party and currently the second-largest political party by parliamentary representation.
* : traditional liberalism made a comeback following the
2018 Velvet Revolution. After the
2018 Armenian parliamentary election
Snap parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on 9 December 2018, as none of the parties in the National Assembly were able to put forward and then elect a candidate for Prime Minister in the two-week period following the resignation of incum ...
,
Bright Armenia
Bright Armenia ( hy, Լուսավոր Հայաստան, translit=Lusavor Hayastan) is a classical liberal political party in Armenia founded on 12 December 2015.
History
In 2017, Bright Armenia launched an educational program aimed at advancing ...
, a liberal political party, became the official opposition in the
National Assembly
In politics, a national assembly is either a unicameral legislature, the lower house of a bicameral legislature, or both houses of a bicameral legislature together. In the English language it generally means "an assembly composed of the repre ...
and is a member of the
ALDE. Following the
2021 Armenian parliamentary election
Snap parliamentary elections were held in Armenia on 20 June 2021. The elections had initially been scheduled for 9 December 2023, but were called earlier due to a political crisis following the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War and an alleged attempted ...
, Bright Armenia lost all representation in the National Assembly and currently acts as an extra-parliamentary party. Other liberal parties in Armenia include the
Armenian Constructive Party
The Armenian Constructive Party, sometimes known as the Armenian Construction Party ( hy, Հայկական կառուցողական կուսակցություն, translit=Haykakan karruts’voghakan kusakts’ut’yun) is a Liberalism, liberal Lis ...
,
Armenian National Movement Party
The Armenian National Movement (ANM) ( hy, Հայկական ազգային շարժում, translit=Hayots’ hamazgayin sharzhum kusakts’ut’yun) is a political party in Armenia. It is led by Ararat Zurabyan, the former Chairman of the Pan-Arm ...
,
European Party of Armenia
The European Party of Armenia () is a pro-European political party in Armenia. It was founded on 6 November 2018 by film-maker Tigran Khzmalyan.
History
The founding congress of the European Party of Armenia was held on 6 November 2018, in Yer ...
,
For The Republic Party
The For the Republic Party, also known as the Alliance for Defenders of Democracy ( hy, Հանրապետություն կուսակցության համար, translit=Hanrapetut’yun kusakts’ut’yan hamar) is an Armenian political party.
Hist ...
,
Liberal Democratic Union of Armenia
The Liberal Democratic Union of Armenia ( hy, Հայաստանի Ժողովրդավարական Ազատական Միություն, translit=Hayastani Zhoghovrdavarakan Azatakan Miyutyun) is a liberal political party in Armenia.
History
Followin ...
, and the
Liberal Party
The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left.
__TOC__ Active liberal parties
This is a li ...
. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Armenia
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Armenia. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had representation in the National Assembly of Armenia.
Background
Prior to Armenia's independence, a nati ...
.)''
* : the
NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum
NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum (german: NEOS – Das Neue Österreich und Liberales Forum) is a liberal political party in Austria. It was founded as NEOS – The New Austria in 2012. In 2014, NEOS merged with Liberal Forum and adopt ...
(german: NEOS – Das Neue Österreich und Liberales Forum, member
ALDE) was formed in 2014 as a merger of NEOS formed in 2012 and the
Liberal Forum
The Liberal Forum (german: Liberales Forum, LiF) was a centrist, Liberalism in Austria, liberal political party in Austria. The party was active from February 1993 to January 2014, when the party merged into NEOS – The New Austria.
A member ...
(german: Liberales Forum, LiF) formed in 1993. The Liberal Forum had split from the
Freedom Party of Austria
The Freedom Party of Austria (german: Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs, FPÖ) is a right-wing populist and national-conservative political party in Austria. It was led by Norbert Hofer from September 2019 to 1 June 2021.Staff (1 June 2021"Aust ...
(german: Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs, FPÖ), which had become a right-wing nationalist party, but was previously liberal or national-liberal, and was a member of the Liberal International until 1993. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Austria
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Austria. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had representation in parliament. For inclusion in this scheme it isn't necessary that parties labeled t ...
.)''
*: liberal parties are minor in regard to the political system.
Liberal political parties in Azerbaijan include;
Azerbaijan Democratic Party
The Azerbaijan Democrat Party ( az, Azərbaycan Demokrat Partiyası), also known as ADP, is a conservative political party in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan (, ; az, Azərbaycan ), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, , also sometimes officially ...
,
Azerbaijan Liberal Party
The Azerbaijan Liberal Party () is a liberal political party in Azerbaijan.
It was founded on 3 June 1995 by the former Secretary of State of Azerbaijan Lala Shevket on the Constituent Conference held in the town of Barda in the unoccupied part ...
,
Azerbaijan National Independence Party
The National Independence Party of Azerbaijan ( az, Azərbaycan Milli İstiqlal Partiyası) is a centre-right political party in Azerbaijan.
History
NIPA was founded on July 3–4, 1992 and was officially registered at the Justice Ministry on ...
,
Azerbaijani Popular Front Party
The Azerbaijani Popular Front Party (APFP; az, Azərbaycan Xalq Cəbhəsi Partiyası, ) is a political party in Azerbaijan, founded in 1992 by Abulfaz Elchibey. After Elchibey's death in 2000, the party split into two wings, the ''reform'' win ...
,
Justice Party,
Modern Equality Party
The Modern Equality Party ( az, Müasir Müsavat Partiyası) is a political party in Azerbaijan.
Its candidate Hafiz Haciyev won 0.3% of the popular vote in the 15 October 2003 presidential elections. During a live debate on TV, Haciyev clash ...
,
Musavat
The Müsavat Party ( az, Müsavat Partiyası, from ar, مساواة ''musāwāt'', ) is the oldest existing political party in Azerbaijan. Its history can be divided into three periods: Early Musavat, Musavat-in-exile and New Musavat.
Early Musa ...
and the
Republican Alternative Party.
* : one of the main opposition parties is the liberal
United Civic Party of Belarus
The United Civic Party (UCP; be, Аб'яднаная грамадзянская партыя; АГП, Abjadnanaja hramadzianskaja partyja; AHP; russian: Объединённая гражданская партия; ОГП, Obyedinonnaya grazhdans ...
( be, Аб'ядна́ная грамадзя́нская па́ртыя Белару́сі, Abjadnanaja hramadzianskaja partyja Biełarusi).
* : the party system is divided by language. In the
Flemish community
The Flemish Community ( nl, Vlaamse Gemeenschap ; french: Communauté flamande ; german: Flämische Gemeinschaft ) is one of the three institutional communities of Belgium, established by the Belgian constitution and having legal responsibilitie ...
,
Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats
french: Libéraux et démocrates flamands ouverts
, abbreviation = Open Vld
, logo =
, leader1_title = President
, leader1_name = Egbert Lachaert
, foundation = 1992 (VLD)2007 (Open Vld)
, predecessor = Pa ...
(member
LI,
ALDE), comprising both market and social liberals, is one of the dominant parties. In the
French community
The French Community (1958–1960; french: Communauté française) was the constitutional organization set up in 1958 between France and its remaining African colonies, then in the process of decolonization. It replaced the French Union, which ...
, the centre-right
Reformist Movement
The Reformist Movement (french: Mouvement Réformateur, MR) is a liberal French-speaking political party in Belgium. MR is traditionally a conservative-liberal party, but it also contains social-liberal factions.
The party is in coalition as pa ...
(member
LI,
ALDE) is one of the major parties. Affiliated with this party is the
Party for Freedom and Progress
The Party for Freedom and Progress ( nl, Partij voor Vrijheid en Vooruitgang; french: Parti de la Liberté et du Progrès; german: Partei für Freiheit und Fortschritt, PVV-PLP) was a liberal political party in Belgium which existed from 1961 unti ...
in the
German community, and until 2011
DéFI
DéFI () is a social-liberal, liberal, regionalist political party in Belgium mainly known for defending French-speakers’ interests in and near the Brussels region. The party is led by François de Smet, a member of the Chamber of Representa ...
a regionalist party in the
Brussels region
Brussels (french: Bruxelles or ; nl, Brussel ), officially the Brussels-Capital Region (All text and all but one graphic show the English name as Brussels-Capital Region.) (french: link=no, Région de Bruxelles-Capitale; nl, link=no, Bruss ...
whose aim is the expansion of linguistic rights of French-speakers. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Belgium
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Belgium. Liberalism was a dominant force since the Belgian independence from the Netherlands. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation ...
.)''
* : liberalism is weak, because of the domination by ethnic parties. A small and rather unsuccessful liberal party is the
Liberal Democratic Party (Liberalno demokratska stranka, associate
ALDE). More successful is the social liberaI and multi-ethnic
Our Party (Naša stranka, associate
ALDE).
* : organized liberalism was initially quite unsuccessful. Liberalism is now represented by the mainly Turkish minority party
Movement for Rights and Freedoms
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms ( bg, Движение за права и свободи ''Dvizhenie za prava i svobodi'', ДПС, DPS; tr, Hak ve Özgürlükler Hareketi, HÖH) is a centrist political party in Bulgaria with a support base ...
(Dviženie za prava i svobodi, observer
LI, member
ALDE) and the
National Movement for Stability and Progress
The National Movement for Stability and Progress ( bg, Национално движение за стабилност и възход, translit=Natsionalno dvizhenie za stabilnost i vazhod, NDSV) is a liberal, populist political party in Bulgari ...
(Nacionalno Dviženie za Stabilnost i Vazhod, member
LI,
ALDE), both taking a more or less liberal position. ''(Main article:
Liberalism and radicalism in Bulgaria
This article gives an overview of liberalism and radicalism in Bulgaria. It is limited to liberal and radical parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ denotes another party in th ...
.)''
* : liberalism is very divided. One could distinguish five parties: the centre
Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats
The Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democrats ( hr, Hrvatska narodna stranka – Liberalni demokrati or HNS – LD) is a social-liberal political party in Croatia.
As of April 2015 HNS forms a parliamentary club with 5 members in the Croati ...
( hr, Hrvatska narodna stranka – Liberalni demokrati, member
ALDE), its two splinters:
centrist
Centrism is a political outlook or position involving acceptance or support of a balance of social equality and a degree of social hierarchy while opposing political changes that would result in a significant shift of society strongly to the l ...
People's Party – Reformists
People's Party – Reformists ( hr, Narodna stranka – Reformisti or NS-R) is a liberal political party in Croatia.
History
The civil initiative for the establishment of the party was launched by former Croatian People's Party – Liberal Democr ...
( hr, Narodna stranka – Reformisti, member
EDP) and the left-of-centre
Civic Liberal Alliance
The Civic Liberal Alliance ( hr, Građansko-liberalni savez, abbr. Glas - lit. ''Voice''/''Vote'') is a liberal political party in Croatia. The party was founded by four former Croatian People's Party (HNS) MPs led by Anka Mrak Taritaš who wer ...
( hr, Građansko-liberalni savez, member
ALDE);
left centrist and
Istria
Istria ( ; Croatian language, Croatian and Slovene language, Slovene: ; ist, Eîstria; Istro-Romanian language, Istro-Romanian, Italian language, Italian and Venetian language, Venetian: ; formerly in Latin and in Ancient Greek) is the larges ...
n
regionalist Istrian Democratic Assembly
The Istrian Democratic Assembly ( hr, Istarski demokratski sabor, it, Dieta democratica istriana or IDS-DDI) is a centre to centre-left, regionalist, liberal political party in Croatia primarily operating in Istria County.
IDS was founded on ...
(Istarski demokratski sabor – Dieta Democratica Istriana, member
ALDE, observer
LI) and the right-of-centre
Croatian Social Liberal Party
The Croatian Social Liberal Party ( hr, Hrvatska socijalno-liberalna stranka or HSLS) is a conservative-liberal political party in Croatia. The HSLS was formed in 1989 as the first Croatian political party formed after the reintroduction of mult ...
( hr, Hrvatska socijalno-liberalna stranka, member
LI,
ALDE). ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Croatia
This article gives an overview of liberalism in Croatia. Liberals became active since 1860 in Dalmatia and since 1904 in the rest of Croatia. It never became a major political party. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, main ...
).''
* : the centre-right Liberal Democrat
www.liberalscy.org(''Fileleftheri Dimokrates'', member of the Interlibertarians) and the centre-left
United Democrats
The United Democrats ( el, Ενωμένοι Δημοκράτες (ΕΔΗ), ''Enomenoi Dimokrates'' (EDI)) is a liberal political party in Cyprus. The party was founded by former President of Cyprus George Vasiliou in 1993 as ''Kinima Elefther ...
(''Enomeni Dimokrates'', member
ALDE) are considered liberal parties. ''See also
Liberalism in Cyprus.''
* : the
Czech Pirate Party
The Czech Pirate Party or Pirates ( cs, Česká pirátská strana , abbreviated ''Piráti'' ) is a Liberalism, liberal Progressivism, progressive List of political parties in the Czech Republic, political party in the Czech Republic, founded in 20 ...
, the
Green Party
A green party is a formally organized political party based on the principles of green politics, such as social justice, environmentalism and nonviolence.
Greens believe that these issues are inherently related to one another as a foundation ...
, the
Mayors and Independents
The Mayors and Independents ( cs, Starostové a nezávislí), abbreviated to STAN, is a liberal political party in the Czech Republic that is focused on localism and subsidiarity. The party grew out of four minor parties, including Independent ...
and
TOP 09
TOP 09 (name derived from cs, Tradice Odpovědnost Prosperita, lit=Tradition Responsibility Prosperity) is a liberal-conservative political party in the Czech Republic, led by Markéta Pekarová Adamová. TOP 09 holds 14 seats in the Chamber of ...
are considered liberal parties. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in the Czech lands
This article gives an overview of liberalism in the Czech Republic. It is limited to liberal parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in parliament. The sign ⇒ denotes another party in that scheme. For incl ...
).''
* : most parties support liberalism in one form or another, and three parties mark themselves as liberal: the centrist
Social Liberal Party ( da, Radikale Venstre, member
LI,
ALDE), the much larger conservative-liberal ''
Venstre'' (member
LI,
ALDE) and the liberal–libertarian
Liberal Alliance. ''(Main article:
Liberalism and radicalism in Denmark
This article gives an overview of liberalism and radicalism in Denmark. It is limited to liberal and radical egalitarian parties with substantial support, mainly proved by having had a representation in the parliament. The sign ⇒ denotes anot ...
).''
* : the
Estonian Reform Party
The Estonian Reform Party ( et, Eesti Reformierakond) is a liberal political party in Estonia. The party has been led by Kaja Kallas since 2018. It is colloquially known as the "Squirrel Party" ( et, Oravapartei).
It was founded in 1994 by Si ...
( et, Eesti Reformierakond, member
LI,
ALDE) is a free market liberal party. The liberal character of the
Estonian Centre Party
The Estonian Centre Party ( et, Eesti Keskerakond, EK) is a populist political party in Estonia. It was founded in 1991 as a direct successor of the Popular Front of Estonia, and it is currently led by Jüri Ratas.
The party was founded on 12 Oc ...
( et, Eesti Keskerakond, member
ALDE) can be disputed. ''(Main article:
Liberalism in Estonia).''
* : the conservative-liberal
Union Party ( fo, Sambandsflokkurin) and the social liberal
Self-Government (Faroe Islands)
Sjálvstýri (previously Sjálvstýrisflokkurin) (English: referred to interchangeably as ''Independence'', ''Self-Government'', or ''Home Rule'') is a liberal, autonomist political party on the Faroe Islands. It is currently led by the Mayor of ...
( fo, Sjálvstýri) were or are aligned with the Danish liberal parties. In addition, there are two separatist parties: the liberal-conservative
People's Party (Fólkaflokkurin, member
AECR) and the market liberal
Progress
Progress is the movement towards a refined, improved, or otherwise desired state. In the context of progressivism, it refers to the proposition that advancements in technology, science, and social organization have resulted, and by extension wi ...
( fo, Framsókn), founded in 2011.
* : the dominant
LI and
ALDE member party is the centrist and agrarian
Centre Party (Suomen Keskusta), however the liberal character of this party is questioned. In actuality, the Centre Party has long since become socially more conservative than the liberal-conservative
National Coalition Party
sv, Samlingspartiet
, leader1_title = Chairman
, leader1_name = Petteri Orpo
, leader2_title = Deputy chairs
, leader2_name = Antti Häkkänen Elina ValtonenAnna-Kaisa Ikonen
, merger = Finnish Party, Young Finnis ...
, since it opted not to support
same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same Legal sex and gender, sex or gender. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 33 countries, with the most recent being ...
. The Swedish minority party
Swedish People's Party
The Swedish People's Party of Finland ( sv, Svenska folkpartiet i Finland (SFP); fi, Suomen ruotsalainen kansanpuolue (RKP)) is a political party in Finland aiming to represent the interests of the minority Swedish-speaking population of Finlan ...
(Svenska Folkpartiet i Finland, member
LI,
ALDE) has a clearer liberal profile. The original liberal current was until 2011 organized in the
Liberals (Liberaalit), after 1995 a very small extra-parliamentary party. At the autonomous islands of
Åland
Åland ( fi, Ahvenanmaa: ; ; ) is an Federacy, autonomous and Demilitarized zone, demilitarised region of Finland since 1920 by a decision of the League of Nations. It is the smallest region of Finland by area and population, with a size of 1 ...
the
Liberals for Åland
The Liberals for Åland ( sv, Liberalerna på Åland) is a liberal political party on the Åland Islands. The party is an observer member of the Liberal International. In the 2015 legislative elections, the party received the largest number of vo ...
(Liberalerna på Åland) and the centrist agrarian
Ålandic Centre (Åländsk Center, member
ALDE) are the dominant forces. ''(Main article:
Liberalism and centrism in Finland).''
* : the
Radical Movement
The Radical Movement (french: Mouvement radical, MR), officially the Radical, Social and Liberal Movement (french: link=no, Mouvement radical, social et libéral), was a social-liberal political party in France.
The party aimed at being an "alter ...
(french: Mouvement radical, MR, member
ALDE) was formed in 2017 as a merger of the
Radical Party (french: Parti radical, PR), founded in 1901, and the
Radical Party of the Left
The Radical Party of the Left (french: Parti radical de gauche, PRG) is a social-liberal political party in France. A party in the Radical tradition, since 1972 the PRG was a close ally of the major party of the centre-left in France, the Soc ...
(french: Parti radical de gauche, PRG), which had split from the PR in 1971. In 2019, the PRG re-emerged from the MR. France had a liberal tradition, generally associated to
Republicanism
Republicanism is a political ideology centered on citizenship in a state organized as a republic. Historically, it emphasises the idea of self-rule and ranges from the rule of a representative minority or oligarchy to popular sovereignty. It ...
, from which the right and the left of the political spectrum were generated. On the right-wing there were the ''Republicans'', which organized themselves in 1901–03 in the moderate-liberal
Democratic Republican Alliance
The Democratic Alliance (french: Alliance démocratique, AD), originally called Democratic Republican Alliance (, ARD), was a French political party created in 1901 by followers of Léon Gambetta such as Raymond Poincaré, who would be presiden ...
and in the liberal-conservative
Republican Federation
The Republican Federation (french: Fédération républicaine, FR) was the largest conservative party during the French Third Republic, gathering together the progressive Orléanists rallied to the Republic.
Founded in November 1903, the party ...
; on the left-wing the ''Radicals'', which founded the Radical Party (France), Republican, Radical and Radical-Socialist Party in 1901. After World War II, the Republicans gathered in the liberal-conservative National Centre of Independents and Peasants, from which the conservative-liberal Independent Republicans seceded in 1962. The original centre-left Radical Party was a declining force in French politics until 1972 when it joined the centre-right, causing the split of Radical-Socialist faction and the foundation of the Radical Party of the Left, closely associated to the Socialist Party (France), Socialist Party. In 1978 both the Republican Party (France), Republican Party (successor of the Independent Republicans) and the Radical Party were founding components, along with the Centre of Social Democrats, of the Union for French Democracy, Union for French Democracy (UDF), an alliance of liberal and Christian-democratic forces. The Republican Party, re-founded as Liberal Democracy (France), Liberal Democracy in 1997 and re-shaped as a free-market libertarian party, left UDF in 1998 and merged into the Gaulist Union for a Popular Movement, Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), of which it represented the libertarian wing. Also the Radical Party left UDF in 2002 in order to join UMP, of which it is the main social-liberal component, as an associate party. The Liberal Alternative was formed in 2006. In 2017, Emmanuel Macron formed the liberal party La République En Marche! and won the presidential and the National Assembly elections. The Democratic Movement (France), Democratic Movement (french: Mouvement démocrate, MoDem, member
EDP), the successor of the Union for French Democracy, joined forces with La République En Marche!. ''(Main article: Liberalism and radicalism in France).''
* : the United National Movement (Georgia), United National Movement (Georgian language, Georgian: ერთიანი ნაციონალური მოძრაობა, member International Democrat Union, IDU, observer European People's Party, EPP) is a liberal-conservative pro-western party oriented on North-Atlantic integration. Lelo for Georgia, Lelo (Georgian language, Georgian: ლელო, member
ALDE), Republican Party of Georgia (Georgian language, Georgian: საქართველოს რესპუბლიკური პარტია, member
ALDE) and Free Democrats (Georgia), Free Democrats (Georgian language, Georgian: თავისუფალი დემოკრატები, member
ALDE) are liberal pro-western parties.
* : the Free Democratic Party (Germany), Free Democratic Party (Freie Demokratische Partei, member
LI,
ALDE) is a centre to centre-right Classical liberalism, classical liberal party. It supports laissez-faire and free market economics and is seen to be closer to the centre-right conservative CDU/CSU alliance on economic issues than the centre-left Social Democratic Party of Germany, SPD, but closer to the SPD and the Alliance 90/The Greens, Greens on issues such as civil liberties, education, defense, and foreign policy. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Germany).''
* : the Liberal Party of Gibraltar (member
LI,
ALDE) is a social-liberal party favouring Gibraltar's self-determination.
* : the liberal current disappeared, leading to liberals joining the centre-right New Democracy (Greece), New Democracy, est. in 1974 and the centre-left Panhellenic Socialist Movement, PASOK, est. in 1974. Smaller parties such as the social-liberal The River (Greece), The River (Greek: Το Ποτάμι, To Potami) and the Union of Centrists (Greek:Ένωση Κεντρώων,
EDP member, Enosi Kentroon), claimer of Venizelism, Venizelist heritage, became the leading liberal forces. Meanwhile, new liberal initiatives have been taken, like e.g. the purely liberal Liberal Alliance (Greece), Liberal Alliance (Greek: «Φιλελεύθερη Συμμαχία», Fileleftheri Simmakhia), est. in 2007. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Greece)''.
* : the Alliance of Free Democrats (Szabad Demokraták Szövetsége) was a centre market liberal party. Now there are Together 2014 (Együtt 2014), a social liberal party, and the Hungarian Liberal Party (Magyar Liberális Párt), a market liberal party, in parliament. ''(Main article: Liberalism and radicalism in Hungary).''
* : the Progressive Party (Iceland), Progressive Party ( is, Framsóknarflokkurinn, member
LI) is an agrarian-centrist party. Bright Future (Iceland), Bright Future ( is, Björt framtíð, member
ALDE), founded in 2012, is a social-liberal party favouring Iceland's membership in the EU. In 2016, the Reform Party (Iceland), Reform Party emerged as a liberal split from the governing Independence Party (Iceland), Independence Party. ''(Main article: Liberalism and centrism in Iceland).''
* : Fine Gael (member
CDI and European People's Party, EPP) is a centre-right, liberal-conservative party whose platform encompasses low-tax economic policies and socially liberal stances on issues such as
same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same Legal sex and gender, sex or gender. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 33 countries, with the most recent being ...
, abortion, divorce, medical cannabis, and Assisted suicide, assisted dying. In recent years the traditionally Irish nationalism, Irish nationalist centre-right
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil (, ; meaning 'Soldiers of Destiny' or 'Warriors of Fál'), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party ( ga, audio=ga-Fianna Fáil.ogg, Fianna Fáil – An Páirtí Poblachtánach), is a conservative and Christian- ...
(member
LI and
ALDE) has tried to reposition itself as a liberal party; however, the party membership remains conservative on social issues. The Progressive Democrats were a conservative-liberal party with an emphasis on market economics in existence from 1985 to 2009.
* : the Liberal Vannin Party (observer
LI) is the only party represented in the House of Keys since most Member of the House of Keys, Members are elected as independents. It favours accountability and transparency in government and a further devolution from the United Kingdom.
* : liberals are now divided over the centre-right Forza Italia (2013), Forza Italia (originally a merger of liberal and Christian-democratic forces in 1994, and reconstituted in 2013 from The People of Freedom), the Civic Choice party founded in 2013 to support then-Prime Minister Mario Monti, Democratic Centre (Italy), Democratic Centre and Alliance for Italy, small social-liberal parties, and various minor extra-parliamentary movements including the libertarian Act to Stop the Decline and Italian Radicals (member
ALDE Party). Also the centrist-populist Italy of Values is a member
ALDE Party, although it is not classifiable as a liberal party in whichever sense. Most members of the late Italian Liberal Party (refounded as a very small party in 2004) and many former members of the Italian Republican Party joined Forza Italia, which is often presented and defined in Italy as a liberal party. This is the reason why the term 'liberals' is more often used when speaking of the Centre-right coalition (Italy), centre-right coalition, dominated by Forza Italia, which combines economic liberalism with freedom of conscience on ethical matters. ''(Main article: Liberalism and radicalism in Italy).''
* : the New Kosovo Alliance ( sq, Aleanca Kosova e Re, member
ALDE), Liberal Party of Kosovo ( sq, Partia Liberale e Kosoves, associate
ALDE), and the Alternative (Kosovo), the Alternative (Alternativa) are considered to be liberal parties, although the second one doesn't seem to have much support. The Independent Liberal Party (Kosovo), Independent Liberal Party (Samostalna liberalna stranka, member
LI) is a liberal party of the Serbian minority.
* : the Development/For! is a classical-liberal political party (member
ALDE). Development/For! has 13 seats in saeima. Eliminated Latvia's First Party/Latvian Way party (member
LI,
ALDE) was a centre-right liberal party. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Latvia).''
* : the Liberal Movement (Lithuania), Liberal Movemant ( lt, Lietuvos Respublikos Liberalų sąjūdis) and the Liberal and Centre Union ( lt, Liberalų ir centro sąjunga, member
LI),
ALDE) are a centre liberal parties. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Lithuania).''
* : the Democratic Party (Luxembourg), Democratic Party ( lb, Demokratesch Partei/french: Parti démocratique/german: Demokratische Partei, member
LI,
ALDE) is the traditional liberal party. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Luxembourg).''
* : the AD+PD was formed in 2020 as a merger of the green Democratic Alternative (Malta), Democratic Alternative and the social-liberal Democratic Party (Malta), Democratic Party. The party has 2 seats in the parliament and was formed by dissatisfied members of the Labour Party (Malta), Labour Party. There are two minor liberal parties: Alleanza Liberal-Demokratika Malta and Alpha Liberal Democratic Party.
* : liberalism is divided over the conservative-liberal Liberal Party of Moldova, Liberal Party (Partidul Liberal, member
ALDE) and the market liberal Liberal Reformist Party (Moldova), Liberal Reformist Party (Partidul Liberal Reformator, observer
LI), which splintered of the Liberal Party to stay in government and be part of the Pro-European Coalition in 2013. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Moldova).''
* : liberalism is organized in the Liberal Party of Montenegro (Liberalna Partija Crne Gore, observer
LI, member
ALDE), more or less a liberal party. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Montenegro).''
* : liberalism is divided between two parties. The social-liberal Democrats 66 ( nl, Democraten 66, member
LI,
ALDE) and the conservative-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy ( nl, Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, member
LI,
ALDE). Furthermore, in 2004 the GroenLinks started profiling itself as a 'leftist liberal' party, a shift from its socialist roots. ''(Main article: Liberalism in the Netherlands).''
* : the liberals are divided over the Liberal Democratic Party (North Macedonia), Liberal Democratic Party ( mk, Либерално-демократска Партија, Liberalno-demokratska Partija, member
LI,
ALDE), part of the left of centre government coalition, and the Liberal Party of Macedonia ( mk, Либерална партија на Македонија, Liberalna partija na Makedonija), part of the right of centre opposition coalition. ''(Main article: Liberalism in North Macedonia).''
* : the Liberal Party (Norway), Liberal Party ( no, Venstre, member
LI,
ALDE) is a centrist liberal party. The Capitalist Party ( no, Liberalistene) is a newer party grounded in classical liberalism. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Norway)''.
* : the Democratic Party – demokraci.pl, Democratic Party (member
ALDE) was a centre-liberal party. It did not succeed in entering parliament in the 2005 election. Civic Platform is considered economically liberal or conservative-liberal, however, it is conservative in terms of ideology. Created in 2015, liberal Modern (political party), Modern (member
ALDE) entered parliament in 2015 Polish parliamentary election, 2015 elections. In Poland, there is also conservative and liberal party KORWiN (Poland), KORWiN, which was established in 2015 by Janusz Korwin Mikke, Janusz Korwin-Mikke. It possesses two deputies in the European Parliament and also two MEPs in Parliament of Poland, polish parliament. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Poland)''
* : liberalism was a strong force in history, namely during the Liberal Revolution of 1820. In contemporary times, the Social Democratic Party (Portugal), Social Democratic Party was once an Liberal International member, but left the organisation in 1996, and has taken a more conservative orientation since then, joining the
European People's Party
The European People's Party (EPP) is a European political party with Christian-democratic, conservative, and liberal-conservative member parties. A transnational organisation, it is composed of other political parties. Founded by primarily Ch ...
. However, many observers still see it as a conservative-liberal party. The Earth Party (former member
ALDE, World Ecological Parties, WEP) is a party that advocates both market economy and environmentalism. The most recent party is Liberal Initiative (Portugal), Iniciativa Liberal that also became a member of the
ALDE, in early December 2017. The party was created as an association in 2016, and was approved as a party by the Constitutional Court (Portugal), Constitutional Court in 2017. The party was admitted to the
ALDE in November 2017. The party ran for election for the first time in the 2019 European Parliament election in Portugal, garnering 0.9% of the votes, and failing to win any seats in the European Parliament. In the 2019 Portuguese legislative election, 2019 legislative election, the party won a single seat in the Parliament of Portugal, Portuguese Parliament in the electoral district of Lisbon, earning 67,681 votes in total, equivalent to 1.29% of the votes cast. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Portugal).''
* : the National Liberal Party (Romania), National Liberal Party ( ro, Partidul Național Liberal, member
LI and ex-member
ALDE) is a centre-right liberal party, part of the governing Social Liberal Union coalition from 2011 to 2014. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Romania).''
* : Civic Platform (Russia) is a liberal party founded by Mikhail Prokhorov for Russia to have an "actual classic liberal free market party". Yabloko (Yabloko, Russian Democratic Party, Jabloko - Rossijskaja Demokratičeskaja Partija, member
LI,
ALDE) and the Right Cause (Pravoye Delo, member International Democrat Union, IDU) also contain ideas liberalism. While Yabloko is social liberal party, the Right Cause (political party), Right Cause can be seen as a democratic conservative market party. The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia has been widely criticised for not being liberal, rather a nationalism, nationalist, right-wing populist party. ''(Main article Liberalism in Russia)''.
* : the Popular Alliance (San Marino), Popular Alliance (member
EDP) is a centrist liberal party.
* : the Liberal Democratic Party (Serbia), Liberal Democratic Party is the only functioning liberal party, which had parliamentary representation until the 2013 Serbian general election. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Serbia).''
* : Freedom and Solidarity (Sloboda a Solidarita) is a right of centre market liberal party. Progressive Slovakia (Progresívne Slovensko) is a social liberal political party and a member of the
ALDE. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Slovakia).''
* : the largest liberal party is the List of Marjan Šarec, member of the
ALDE, a centrist liberal party. The second largest is the Party of Alenka Bratušek (member
ALDE), a liberal spin-off from centre-left Positive Slovenia that went a more social democratic direction. The third largest is the classical-liberal Civic List (Slovenia), Civic List (member
ALDE). Two minor extra-parliamentary liberal parties in Slovenia are the Liberal Democracy of Slovenia ( sl, Liberalna demokracija Slovenije, former member of both
LI and
ALDE), a centrist liberal party, and Zares, a social-liberal party, and also a former ALDE member. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Slovenia).''
* : there was a long tradition of liberalism during the Trienio Liberal. This ended with :es:absolutismo, absolutist and carlism, carlist movements and Francoist Spain in the 20th century. At a national level there were attempts to establish half liberal parties, but they did not succeed until Union, Progress and Democracy (Unión, Progreso y Democracia), a Progressivism, progressive, Social liberalism, social liberal and Centralized government, centralist party. It was replaced as major Social liberalism, social liberal party in 2015 by Citizens (Spanish political party), Citizens ( es, Ciudadanos), which is Autonomism (political doctrine), autonomist and Postnationalism, postnationalist. The Libertarian Party (Spain), Libertarian Party defends personal rights and economic freedom with a libertarian point of view. On a regional level, the Canarian Coalition ( es, Coalición Canaria) and the Democratic Convergence of Catalonia ( ca, Convergència Democràtica de Catalunya, member
ALDE) are Nationalism, nationalist, half-liberal parties ''(Main articles: :es:Canovismo, Canovism, Liberalism and radicalism in Spain).''
* : Liberals (Sweden), The Liberals ( sv, Liberalerna, member
LI,
ALDE) is a centre-right liberal party. The Centre Party (Sweden), Centre Party ( sv, Centerpartiet, member
LI,
ALDE) is a historically agrarian party that has gradually developed into a centre-right liberal party, since 2013 referring to themselves as such. ''(Main article: Liberalism and centrism in Sweden).''
* : the main liberal party is FDP.The Liberals (member
LI,
ALDE), formed in 2007 by a merger of the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland and the Liberal Party of Switzerland. ''(Main article: Liberalism and radicalism in Switzerland).''
* : liberalism was never a strong force. There is no popular support for liberalism. Populism is the dominant rhetoric. Liberal Democratic Party (Turkey), Liberal Democratic Party (Turkish language, Turkish: Liberal Demokrat Parti), a
classical liberal
Classical liberalism is a political tradition and a branch of liberalism that advocates free market and laissez-faire economics; civil liberties under the rule of law with especial emphasis on individual autonomy, limited government, economic ...
party, was founded in 1994. It received very few votes in every election it participated in. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Turkey).''
* : the position of liberalism is unclear. Voice (Ukrainian political party), Voice (member
ALDE) was founded in 2019. The Liberal Party of Ukraine, Liberal Party (Liberalna Partia, observer
LI) is a small liberal party. A clear liberal party was the Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc (''Naša Ukrajina''), which was dissolved in 2012. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Ukraine).''
* : liberalism is now represented mainly by the Liberal Democrats (UK), Liberal Democrats (member
LI and
ALDE), formed in 1988 from a merger of the Liberal Party (UK), Liberal Party formed in 1859 and the Social Democratic Party (UK), Social Democratic Party formed in 1981. The Liberal Democrats, which has hundreds of Councillors and 11 Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Members of Parliament,
were the junior party in a governing coalition with the
Conservative Party
The Conservative Party is a name used by many political parties around the world. These political parties are generally right-wing though their exact ideologies can range from center-right to far-right.
Political parties called The Conservative P ...
in 2010–2015. The Liberal Party (UK, 1989), Liberal Party was re-founded in 1989 and has several councillors in Britain, but no parliamentary representation.
**: the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (member
LI,
ALDE) was formed in 1970 as a non-ideological cross-community party. ''(Main article Liberalism in the United Kingdom)''
Oceania
Liberalism has a strong tradition in both Liberalism in Australia, Australia and Liberalism in New Zealand, New Zealand.
* : the Liberal Party of Australia is considered to be centre-right, and largely the bastion of Liberalism in Australia. Within the Liberal Party, there is a fusion of Liberalism, liberal and conservative views, a tradition which began by the party's predecessors in the early 20th Century. The fusion has led to the party having a big tent membership, bound by an anti-Australian Labor Party, Labor position. Many would argue that this party is a
classical liberal
Classical liberalism is a political tradition and a branch of liberalism that advocates free market and laissez-faire economics; civil liberties under the rule of law with especial emphasis on individual autonomy, limited government, economic ...
party and that the perception of what liberalism is has changed, not the Liberal Party (which promotes the free market approach). Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, a member of the Liberal Party, said that his party is "not a conservative party". The term ''Liberalism in Canada, small-l liberal'' generally refers to someone who champions civil liberties and progressive causes such as Indigenous Australians#History, reconciliation with Indigenous Australians. These views are represented strongly within the broad Liberal Party, as well as in parties such as the Australian Democrats, which began its life as a group of social-liberals disaffected with the Liberal Party. The Liberal Democratic Party (Australia), Liberal Democratic Party is a classical liberal and libertarian party. ''(Main article: Liberalism in Australia).''
* : the liberal Democratic Party (Cook Islands), Democratic Party is one of the two major parties opposing the nationalist Cook Islands Party.
* : there is no longer a pure liberal party, as in the past the New Zealand Liberal Party, Liberal Party was the first organised political party, and the Liberal Government of New Zealand, Liberal Government from 1891 to 1912 was responsible for many reforms. Similarly to Australia, this party merged with more conservative and free market forces to form the National Party of New Zealand, in order to oppose the advancement of the democratic socialist New Zealand Labour Party. ''Liberalism'' nowadays refers to a support for individual liberties and limited government. The term is generally used with a reference to a particular policy area, e.g. "market liberalism" or "social liberalism". Unqualified liberalism is less common; in its extreme form it is known by the American term ''libertarianism''. The left of centre New Zealand Democratic Party takes a more or less progressive liberal position in the spectrum, but lost popular support. ACT New Zealand is a classical liberal or libertarian party. ''(Main article: Liberalism in New Zealand).''
* : the Solomon Islands Liberal Party considers itself a liberal party.
Non-parliamentary liberal parties
* Afghanistan: Liberal Democratic Party of Afghanistan
* Armenia: Armenian Liberal Democratic Party, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party,
Liberal Democratic Union of Armenia
The Liberal Democratic Union of Armenia ( hy, Հայաստանի Ժողովրդավարական Ազատական Միություն, translit=Hayastani Zhoghovrdavarakan Azatakan Miyutyun) is a liberal political party in Armenia.
History
Followin ...
* Austria: The Democrats (Austria), The Democrats, The Social Liberals (Austria), The Social Liberals
* Benin: Liberal Democrats' Rally for National Reconstruction – Vivoten (Rassemblement des libéraux démocrates pour la reconstruction nationale – Vivoten)
* Canada: Libertarian Party of Canada
* Cyprus Liberal Democratic Part
member of the Interlibertarians International
* Ecuador: Movement Forwards Ecuador (Moviminiento Fuerza Ecuador, observer
LI)
* France: Pole of freedoms, the French liberal movement, Liberal Alternative
* Greece: The Liberals (Greece), The Liberals
* Guatemala: Reform Movement (Guatemala), Reform Movement (observer
LI), Liberal Party of Guatemala (Guatemala), Liberal Party of Guatemala
* Guinea: Parti de l'Unité et du Libéralisme Social (member
ALN
Aluminium nitride ( Al N) is a solid nitride of aluminium. It has a high thermal conductivity of up to 321 W/(m·K) and is an electrical insulator. Its wurtzite phase (w-AlN) has a band gap of ~6 eV at room temperature and has a potent ...
)
* Haiti Liberal Party (Haiti), Liberal Party
* India: Lok Satta Party
* Iran: Liberal Democratic Party of Iran
* Italy: Federation of Liberals (observer
LI), Italian Liberal Party
* Kosovo: Liberal Party of Kosovo (observer
LI, member
ALDE)
* Laos: Lao Liberal Democratic Party
* Mongolia: Mongolian Liberal Democratic Party
* Moldova: National Liberal Party (Moldova), National Liberal Party
* Netherlands: Liberal Democratic Party (Netherlands), Liberal Democratic Party
* Netherlands Antilles: Democratic Party (Antilles), Democratic Party
* Norway: Liberal People's Party (Norway, 1992), Liberal People's Party
* Peru:
Liberty Movement
Liberty Movement () was a classical liberal political party in Peru. It was founded in 1987 by people who opposed decrees such as the nationalization of the banking sector in 1986 under the first presidency of Alan García. Instead it advocated ...
, We Are Free, Independence Party (Peru), Independence Party, Humanist List, Liberal Party, National Union (Peru), National Union, Liberal Party of Peru, Justice Party (Peru), Justice Party (member
LI)
* Portugal: Liberal Social Movement, Liberal Initiative (Portugal), Liberal Initiative
* Spain: Liberal Coalition, Mallorcan Union (member
LI)
* Sri Lanka:
Liberal Party of Sri Lanka
After thirty five years in existence The Liberal Party was renamed as The Liberal Democratic Party in June 19th of 2022, The first congress was held in 26th if July 2022. Present leader of the Party is Kamal Nissanka and Secretary General is Amal ...
(member
LI and
CALD)
* Turkey: Liberal Democratic Party (Turkey), Liberal Democratic Party (former member
LI)
* United Kingdom: Liberal Party (UK, 1989), Liberal Party,
* United States:
Libertarian Party
Active parties by country
Defunct parties by country
Organizations associated with Libertarian parties
See also
* Liberal parties by country
* List of libertarian organizations
* Lists of political parties
Lists of political part ...
, Personal Choice Party, Independence Party of Minnesota, Liberal Party (New York State), Liberal Party, US Marijuana Party
* Uruguay: Liberal Party (Uruguay), Liberal Party
* Venezuela:
Organization for the Liberal Democracy in Venezuela, Civil Resistance, Democratic Liberal Movement, Rumbo Propio
See also
* Lists of political parties
References
External links
Liberal Manifesto of Oxford 1947
{{DEFAULTSORT:Liberalism Worldwide
Liberalism by country,