I think Leftists are trying to play up those tensions more than they truly exist, and some of the smarter ones are specifically exploiting the difference in terminology to do so. "Liberals", in the US, are actually quite left wing (outside of the "anyone right of Lenin is literally Hitler" lemmy bubble). But by associating US liberals with European economic liberals, it muddies the water and allows for a ton of motte-and-bailey style arguments.

[–] archomrade@midwest.social 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

“Liberals”, in the US, are actually quite left wing (outside of the “anyone right of Lenin is literally Hitler” lemmy bubble).

Even with whatever scale you're using to make that statement, there is still a distinct ideological divide between socialists/anarchists/communists and modern democrats. A centrist may fundamentally agree with the central tenets of liberalism (the right to property being the biggest point of disagreement), even if they ostensibly agree with many (if not most) progressive issues. Most people wouldn't notice those differences because they result in the same types of value statements, but leftists see them in high contrast because liberals will cater their policy decisions around preserving liberal institutions (e.g. the right of private property, small businesses, market-based financial instruments, ect).

But by associating US liberals with European economic liberals, it muddies the water and allows for a ton of motte-and-bailey style arguments.

I don't think it muddies the water at all, I think it precisely identifies the point of disagreement. I'm also not even sure what 'motte-and-bailey' arguments you could be talking about, let alone having seen one in practice.

[–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

As I said

outside of the “anyone right of Lenin is literally Hitler” lemmy bubble

Bailey: Democrats are right-wing

Motte: Democrats are liberals, and liberals are right wing

Establishing that "liberal" = right wing allows for a motte they can retreat to whenever someone clues in that they're trying to say Democrats are the opposite of what they actually are

[–] archomrade@midwest.social 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Far be it from me to point out you're doing exactly the kind of disingenuous re-framing you're accusing others of by excluding those to the left of you as fringe. Yes, American liberals are 'left-leaning' compared to conservatives (on exactly the same arbitrary binary scale that is being critiqued by the comparison), but they still share core elements of classical liberalism, particularly by the emphasis on protecting liberal institutions like private property and market-based mechanisms. This isn't about muddying the waters—it's about acknowledging the nuance in political ideologies. There's real divide between those who support these liberal institutions and those who aim to dismantle them. It doesn't matter if you think that perspective is fringe - the distinction being made is still there. We're pointing to a genuine ideological distinction, not just retreating to safer rhetorical grounds.

People making the liberal comparison aren't trying to place you on a political binary, they're trying to point to a distinction that you're actively trying to erase or dismiss.

[–] Cryophilia@lemmy.world -1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

They're pointing to a distinction that no one cares about (except the fringe - yes, fringe - Leftists who want to abolish private property) and using that as a platform to imply or outright say false things about American liberals.

Very similar to the above example.

Motte: I, a Leftist, am criticizing the liberal support of private property, that's all

Bailey: liberals also support fascism/colonialism/laissez-faire capitalism/insert Republican ideology here therefore Democrats support fascism/colonialism/laissez-faire capitalism/insert Republican ideology here

[–] archomrade@midwest.social 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Jesus, I can't keep having this argument with you. I will accept "Leftists who want to abolish private property [are fringe]" as an acceptance of the assertion that American Liberals share all or most of the central ideological tenants of Classical Liberalism.

liberals also support fascism/colonialism/laissez-faire capitalism/insert Republican ideology here therefore Democrats support fascism/colonialism/laissez-faire capitalism/insert Republican ideology here

LMAO, nobody is saying american liberals support any of those things on the basis of their liberal ideology. I'm not even sure you understand what a motte-and-bailey is, those two arguments don't follow.