Definition of: liberalism

(lib′ər·əl·iz′·əm) noun
1. An attitude toward social, economic, political, and ecclesiastical policies, favoring gradual reform and ordered change rather than reaction or revolution and opposed equally to arbitrary censorship and undue license in dealing with ideas.
2. A doctrine often equated with laissez–faire economics, holding to free trade and to minimum interference by the state with economic activities: contrasted to SOCIALISM, SYNDICALISM, and COMMUNISM.
3. In political theory, adherence to policies of gradual reform through parliamentary procedure, the upholding of civil liberties as central in a free society, and a belief in the doctrine of progress: opposed to conservatism.
4. Eccl. a In 19th century Roman Catholic church polity, a movement opposed to ultramontanism, and favoring the formulation of doctrines and practices governing the relation of theology to social ethics; opposing promulgation of the infallibility doctrine with broad participation by laity, clergy, and prelacy in formulating the social and economic policies of the state. b In Protestant church bodies, an attitude favoring the use of the methods of historical criticism on the Bible, wide leeway for individual interpretation of creeds, doctrines, and ritual, and latitude as to methods of church government and congregational organization: opposed to fundamentalism.
5. Loosely, general opposition to conservatism and reaction in any field.