A political philosophy that emphasizes individual rights, equality before the law, constitutional government, civil liberties, and democratic institutions. Modern liberals generally support a larger role for government in addressing social and economic inequalities while maintaining a commitment to individual freedoms and a market-based economy.
In contrast, a leftist typically advocates more fundamental changes to economic and social structures, often emphasizing collective action, economic redistribution, and critiques of capitalism. While liberals generally seek reform within existing democratic and market systems, leftists are more likely to support significant structural changes to those systems.
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