Memes

The third one, but its actually practiced and emphasized in liberal democracies, which is beyond the scope of what dictionary can cover.

The Wikipedia is going to be the resource you want to use for something like this, not a dictionary.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism

Modern political liberalism finds its roots in many threads of thought through out history, but its current form is based largely out of the political movements of the late 1700's. The Declaration of Independence, Adam Smiths Wealth of Nations, and even later works like John Stuart Mill's Principles would be considered foundational to modern liberalism. Its important to note that this nascent liberalism left out many classes of people from the definition of, you know, people. Specifically, women, first Nations peoples, Africans, etc, were not afforded the freedoms and liberties espoused in documents like the US Constitution or Declaration of Independence. This is important to note, because its a common thread throughout the evolution of liberalism into its current form, that in practice, it makes an effort to split and qualify individuals (as opposed to pursuing universality in its policies). Liberalism is fundamentally about the definition of liberties, and the protection of those liberties from the government. Not just individual liberties like voting, but also property rights, rights of free association, rights of participation, etc. Its incredibly important, however, to point out the massive blind-spots this political philosophy had towards the 'others' in society. This aspect of liberalism is just as foundational as its aspirational goals of liberty.

I think its pretty safe to argue that liberalism is the foundational political identity of the American body politic, in that it underpins both Conservatism (as foil, and thus in turn helps define neoconservatism) and Neoliberalism. American Conservatism is Luigi to American Liberalisms Mario, while Neo-conservatism and Neo-liberalism are Waluigi and Wario, respectively. Liberalism is the main character, and these other works exist almost exclusively through contrast or opposition.

I think the meme actually makes a good point. But knee-jerk liberals on Lemmy can't hang.