Free-thinking Democratic League - Name

Name

Like some other liberal parties in Europe, such as the Free Democratic Party of Switzerland, the party did not have the word "Liberal" in its name. Instead it used the term "Vrijzinnig" which is difficult to translate into English. The term, which literally translated would be "Free thinking" or "Free minded" is used to refer to both liberal or latitudinarian tendencies in the Church and more progressive and social tendencies in liberalism, as opposed to classical liberalism.

The term "Democratic" is included in the parties name because of its clear commitment to further democratisation of the Dutch political system. The term "League" is used instead of "Party" because the organisation was not a centralised, strictly organised mass party but rather a loose league of politicians and local caucuses.