A political and philosophical worldview that centers on individual freedom, human rights, and a limited role for the state.
example
Der Liberalismus prägte viele Verfassungen der westlichen Welt im 19. Jahrhundert.
Liberalism shaped many constitutions in the Western world in the 19th century.
Usage tips
Word structure
The ending '-ismus' (-ism) is typical of political, philosophical, or scientific movements and worldviews. When you see this ending, it is often an abstract concept or an ideology.
EXAMPLE
Der Kapitalismus und der Sozialismus sind zentrale Wirtschaftssysteme.
Capitalism and socialism are central economic systems.
Word family
The word 'Liberalismus' (liberalism) belongs to the word family of 'liberal' (liberal). The adjective 'liberal' means 'freiheitlich' (freedom-oriented) or 'offen' (open-minded). This connection helps you understand the core idea of the political movement: the emphasis on freedom.
EXAMPLE
Er hat eine sehr liberale Einstellung zu neuen Ideen.
He has a very liberal attitude toward new ideas.
Typical collocations
In political and historical contexts, 'Liberalismus' (liberalism) is often described more precisely. Typical combinations are 'klassischer Liberalismus' (classical liberalism), 'politischer Liberalismus' (political liberalism), or 'Wirtschaftsliberalismus' (economic liberalism).
EXAMPLE
Der Wirtschaftsliberalismus fordert einen freien Markt mit wenig staatlicher Einmischung.
Economic liberalism calls for a free market with little government interference.
Compare with
antonym · confusable
Liberalismus vs Sozialismus
socialism
'der Sozialismus' and 'der Liberalismus' are both political worldviews, but they emphasize different things. 'Sozialismus' emphasizes collective ownership, social equality, and fair distribution. 'Liberalismus' emphasizes individual freedom, human rights, and a limited role for the state. They can be confused because both describe basic political ideas. As a simple guide: in socialism, social equality is more central; in liberalism, individual freedom is more central.
Liberalismus
Im Liberalismus spielt die Freiheit des Einzelnen eine zentrale Rolle.
In liberalism, individual freedom plays a central role.
Sozialismus
Für manche Parteien ist der Sozialismus ein wichtiges politisches Ziel.
For some parties, socialism is an important political goal.