What is the difference between a Liberal and a Democrat?

Liberal is a political and philosophical viewpoint on social issues, such as sexual liberties, equal opportunities, and equality. Liberals believe that one should never be defined by their circumstance of birth or trapped in the traditions of their ancestors. They are pro-choice and favor free speech. They also believe that the government should regulate the economy, ensure social justice, and protect the environment.

Democrat is the name of one of the two main political parties in the United States, along with Republicans. It was established in 1828 and is considered to be the oldest active political party in the world. Today, the Democratic party is primarily made up of progressives and centrists with a small percentage of conservative Democrats.

The term “Liberal” can be misleading, because it is a philosophy rather than a political party. People who identify as liberal may not necessarily be members of the Democratic party, but they may support its platform and share its values.

Despite the misunderstanding, many Americans do identify as Liberal. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 6 in 10 White Democrats identified as Liberal in that year, a 37-percent increase from 1994. This trend has largely been driven by younger voters and women. However, even with these increases, the majority of Democrats are still moderate and pro-military. This is because, unlike Republicans, Democrats have been more successful in creating coalitions of moderates and conservatives to achieve national victories.