A "liberal" generally refers to a person or political philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom, equality, and the protection of individual rights. Liberals advocate for personal liberty and believe society should evolve gradually to ensure fairer distribution of money, property, and power
. Liberalism as a political doctrine focuses on protecting and enhancing individual autonomy, equality of opportunity, and freedom from oppression. It supports government intervention to protect individuals from harm while also limiting government power to prevent abuse. Modern liberalism often supports government actions to remove obstacles such as poverty, discrimination, and ignorance that hinder individual freedom
. Core liberal values include individualism, rationalism, freedom, responsibility, justice, and tolerance. Liberals believe in the importance of individual rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, and political participation, along with support for democracy, rule of law, and market economies
. In summary, being liberal means supporting personal freedoms, equality, democratic governance, and often progressive reforms aimed at expanding opportunities and protections for individuals in society
