anti-liberalism
|an-ti-lib-er-al-ism|
/ˌæn.tiˈlɪb(ə)rəlɪzəm/
opposition to liberalism
Etymology
'anti-liberalism' originates from the Greek-derived prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' and the English word 'liberalism', where 'liberal' ultimately comes from Latin 'liberalis' (from 'liber') meaning 'free'.
'anti-liberalism' formed in modern English by combining the prefix 'anti-' with 'liberalism' (the latter from French 'libéralisme' and English 'liberal' from Latin 'liberalis' via Old French), reflecting 19th–20th century political vocabulary; 'liberal' itself evolved from Latin 'liber' meaning 'free'.
Initially it simply signified being 'against liberalism'; over time the term has been used to describe a range of phenomena—from intellectual critiques of liberal thought to political movements that reject liberal institutions or adopt illiberal/authoritarian policies.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
opposition to liberalism as a political ideology or set of values (broadly: against individual liberties, free markets, or progressive social policies associated with liberalism).
Anti-liberalism has gained support in some regions where voters blame free-market reforms for growing inequality.
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Noun 2
a political tendency or movement that resists liberal policies and institutions (may favor stronger state control, traditional values, or authoritarian measures).
The party's platform was criticized as a form of anti-liberalism because it advocated curbs on press freedom and judicial independence.
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Noun 3
an intellectual or theoretical critique of liberal ideas (questioning liberal assumptions about individualism, markets, or secularism).
Some philosophers' anti-liberalism focuses on perceived limitations of market-based solutions to social problems.
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Last updated: 2025/11/02 12:05