Liberal vs Democrat are two political ideologies that are very different. While liberals favor the use of government power and legal processes, democrats are more focused on putting power in the hands of the people. Both have varying degrees of individual freedom, but the most common difference is the way in which they approach the economy and how the government spends tax money.
The liberal side is a center-left bloc that is very concerned about identity and economic issues. They are also concerned with electability and the appeal of their ideas to the political center. Most liberals rose to prominence prior to President Obama’s election, and prominent examples include Joe Biden, Andrew Cuomo, Dianne Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer.
The difference between Democrats and Republicans is often related to racial injustice, which remains a dividing line in U.S. politics. While both parties talk about equal rights for all, Democrats say far more about racial justice. However, they differ on how to address these issues within the current system and whether to rebuild most institutions and laws.
In the 1970s, the liberal consensus broke down. Reagan was the first non-Keynesian administration and applied supply-side economics. After the Civil Rights era, liberals lost their alliance with white Southern Democrats, but with the steady enfranchisement of African-Americans, the liberal electorate expanded. Meanwhile, conservatives emerged as an alternative to the liberal party.