Whether you are liberal, conservative or somewhere in the middle, the fact is that many Americans hold a mix of viewpoints. As a result, it is not uncommon for one individual to agree with both the Democratic and Republican party platforms on issues such as abortion, affirmative action, gun control, crime, taxes, government spending, regulation and the military.

Modern-day Democrats are associated with liberalism — a political philosophy that believes that government should provide a wide range of social services, protect minorities and the environment and promote economic equality. But just as the definition of a Republican can change over time, so too can the ideology and position that defines the term ‘Democrat’.

While some progressive ideas like Medicare for All and higher taxes on the rich have polled well among Democrats, pursuing these ideas is not without risk to the party’s elected establishment. In addition, many of the ideas pushed by activists divide Democrats and are not supported by the majority of voters at large.

Nonetheless, the majority of White, Black and Hispanic Democrats now describe themselves as liberal. This shift has come as a result of the growing number of Americans who believe that there are important racial injustices in the United States, that government should help people who fall behind and that preserving US military superiority is a crucial national goal. Compared with 1994, these self-identified liberals have become more likely to believe that America’s unique character and history makes it the greatest country in the world (66% vs. 64% in 1994).