Liberalism in Europe - Definition

In general, liberalism in Europe is a political movement that supports a broad tradition of individual liberties and constitutionally-limited government. In Northern European countries, it refers to somebody who emphasizes individual liberty in economical, social, cultureal and ethical topics and a free market policy with some degree of government intervention. It generally does not have the particular connotations of radicalism that the word carries in the United States, though it does not exclude them either. In France and in Southern Europe, the word is used either to refer to the traditional liberal anti-clericalism or to economic liberalism. In France the word is used by minarchists; political liberalism in France was long associated more with the Radical Party, leading to the use of the term radicals to refer to political liberals. The French Radicals tend to be more statist than most European liberals, but share the liberal values on other issues. In France and in Southern Europe, the word "liberal" does not include always the suggestion of general support for individual rights that it carries in Northern Europe.