In general, liberalism in Europe is a political movement that supports a broad tradition of individual liberties and constitutionally-limited and democratically accountable government. This usually encompasses the belief that government should act to alleviate poverty and other social problems, but not through radical changes to the structure of society.
European liberals are divided on the degree of government intervention in economy, but generally they favor limited intervention. Most European liberal parties today adhere to conservative liberalism, with only a minority adhering to the principles of social liberalism, such as the British Liberal Democrats.
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Famous quotes containing the words liberalism and/or europe:
“The basic idea which runs right through modern history and modern liberalism is that the public has got to be marginalized. The general public are viewed as no more than ignorant and meddlesome outsiders, a bewildered herd.”
—Noam Chomsky (b. 1928)
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