Geoffrey R. Stone, a law professor at the University of Chicago, offers "ten propositions that seem" to "define "liberal" today."
Stone believes that one reason our country is on such a destructive course is that liberals have "failed to define themselves and to state clearly what they believe."
Just like a good liberal, Stone qualifies his offering.
The list is not exhaustive, some liberals will not embrace the entire list, some conservatives will embrace some tenets. "[B]ecause these propositions will in some instances conflict, the "liberal" position on a specific issue may not always be predictable. My goal, however, is not to end discussion, but to invite debate."
Pasted below are the ten propositions. Stone elaborates on each, see his piece in the Tribune for said elaboration.
1. Liberals believe individuals should doubt their own truths and consider fairly and open-mindedly the truths of others.
2. Liberals believe individuals should be tolerant and respectful of difference.
3. Liberals believe individuals have a right and a responsibility to participate in public debate.
4. Liberals believe "we the people" are the governors and not the subjects of government, and that government must treat each person with that in mind.
5. Liberals believe government must respect and affirmatively safeguard the liberty, equality and dignity of each individual.
6. Liberals believe government has a fundamental responsibility to help those who are less fortunate.
7. Liberals believe government should never act on the basis of sectarian faith.
8. Liberals believe courts have a special responsibility to protect individual liberties.
9. Liberals believe government must protect the safety and security of the people, for without such protection liberalism is impossible.
10. Liberals believe government must protect the safety and security of the people, without unnecessarily sacrificing constitutional values.
Consider this an invitation. Are these propositions meaningful? Are they helpful? Are they simply wrong? As a liberal, how would you change them or modify the list? As a conservative, how would you draft a similar list for conservatives?
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
- How do you define a liberal? How do you define a conservative? E-mail us by 2 p.m. Tuesday at ctc-response@tribune.com with "define" in the subject line. Include your name, hometown and contact information. Responses will be published online and in Wednesday's Voice of the People.
Liberal Geoffrey R. Stone Politics Progressive Values News Democrats The Left Taking Our Country Back
