The terms “liberal” and “Democrat” are often used interchangeably, but they’re not synonyms. Liberal is a political ideology that promotes equality, social justice, and democracy. The Democrat party is a political organization that supports a range of policies, some of which align with liberal ideology. It’s important to understand the nuances between these concepts, as they can play a role in how voters assess candidates.

Generally speaking, the Democratic party is associated with progressive policies that support government taking on a more active role in social affairs (such as supporting civil rights for ethnic and religious minorities, and providing safety nets for individuals). They may also support progressive taxation, environmental regulation, and higher taxes on high income earners to support social programs and initiatives.

While not all Democratic voters are liberal, most of the ones that are tend to be more so than Republicans. For example, the youngest typology group, Outsider Left, voted for Joe Biden last year and is very liberal in most of their views. But they are very critical of the Democratic establishment and its leadership, especially in light of their disappointment with Biden’s handling of immigration.

The three other Democratic-oriented groups are not as close in their views and relationship to the Democratic establishment. The oldest, Democratic Mainstays, are unshakeable Democrats and have a moderate tilt on some issues. The middle, Progressive Left, and the youngest, Outsider Left, both lean left but have very different views of the Democratic establishment.