What is Social Liberalism?
Pairs personal freedom and civil rights with a government that tackles poverty, discrimination and unequal opportunity.
On our 12-axis map it is defined by democracy rule (86%), progressive tradition (86%), freedom liberty (76%) and global nation (76%), and stays fairly neutral on power, ownership and markets. On the two-axis compass it falls in the Libertarian Centre area.
What Social Liberalism stands for
Leaders should be chosen, criticized and replaced by the people, regularly and freely.
Customs should keep evolving toward more equality and personal freedom.
Privacy, free speech and personal choice come first, even when they carry risks.
Big problems are shared; international law and institutions deserve real authority.
Libertarian Centre
Economic +0.3 · Social -6.2 (−10 to +10).
Biggest difference: ownership — Social Liberalism is more private (45% vs 30%).
Biggest difference: liberty — Social Liberalism is more freedom (76% vs 60%).
Biggest difference: technology — Social Liberalism is more caution (34% vs 0%).
Nearest historical thinkers: Thomas Paine (92%), John Maynard Keynes (90%) and John Stuart Mill (89%).
Social Liberalism, axis by axis
Government
World
Economy
Society
Profiles are simplified summaries of mainstream positions; real movements vary by country and era. Methodology.
FAQ
Is Social Liberalism left or right?
On the classic political compass Social Liberalism sits at economic +0.3 and social -6.2 (−10 to +10), which places it in the Libertarian Centre area. Economically it leans toward markets and private ownership.
What does Social Liberalism believe?
Pairs personal freedom and civil rights with a government that tackles poverty, discrimination and unequal opportunity. Its most defining positions are democracy on rule, progressive on tradition, freedom on liberty and global on nation.
What ideologies are similar to Social Liberalism?
The closest profiles on our 12 axes are Social Democracy (91% similar), Progressivism (91% similar) and Transhumanism (88% similar).
Am I a Social Liberalism supporter?
Take the free 12 Axes test: your result shows your match percentage with Social Liberalism and 30 other ideologies.