Liberal vs. Moderate: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 5, 2023
Liberals typically advocate for progressive change and governmental intervention, while moderates seek a middle ground between liberal and conservative views, prioritizing balance and compromise.
Key Differences
Liberals tend to support progressive policies and reforms, endorsing changes that aim for social equality and inclusiveness, while moderates lean towards centrism, embracing views that combine aspects of both conservative and liberal philosophies, to maintain equilibrium and pragmatic solutions.
Liberal ideologies often back expansive governmental roles in addressing societal issues, fostering the welfare state and regulated economies, whereas moderates typically advocate for measured governmental intervention, balancing regulation with individual freedoms and market-driven solutions.
Liberals usually champion social justice, human rights, and environmental protection, with an emphasis on collective responsibility, contrasting moderates, who weigh individual rights and societal needs to cultivate harmonious coexistence and sustainable progress.
Moderates, valuing compromise and dialogue, usually resist extreme viewpoints, navigating between rigid ideologies to formulate policies that are broadly acceptable and implementable, while liberals may pursue transformative approaches, seeking to rectify systemic inequalities and injustice through robust actions.
Comparison Chart
Philosophical Stance
Progressive and transformative
Balanced and centrist
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Governmental Role
Advocates for more intervention
Supports measured intervention
Policy Preference
Favors transformative policies
Prefers balanced policies
Approach to Change
Seeks rapid and comprehensive change
Advocates for gradual and balanced change
Core Values
Social equality and collective responsibility
Compromise and individual freedoms
Liberal and Moderate Definitions
Liberal
Embracing progressive, broad-minded policies.
The liberal politician promoted policies favoring environmental protection.
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Moderate
Advocating for restraint to avoid extremeness.
The committee recommended a moderate approach to the new policy implementation.
Liberal
Favoring reform, open to new ideas, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; not bound by traditional thinking; broad-minded.
Moderate
Average in amount, intensity, or degree.
The project had a moderate level of difficulty.
Liberal
Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
Moderate
Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme
A moderate price.
Liberal
Liberal Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
Moderate
Not violent or subject to extremes; mild or calm; temperate
A moderate climate.
Liberal
Tending to give freely; generous
A liberal benefactor.
Moderate
Of medium or average quantity or extent.
Liberal
Generous in amount; ample
A liberal serving of potatoes.
Moderate
Of limited or average quality; mediocre.
Liberal
Not strict or literal; loose or approximate
A liberal translation.
Moderate
Opposed to radical or extreme views or measures, especially in politics or religion.
Liberal
Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum
A liberal education.
Moderate
One who holds or champions moderate views or opinions, especially in politics or religion.
Liberal
(Archaic) Permissible or appropriate for a person of free birth; befitting a lady or gentleman.
Moderate
To cause to be less extreme, intense, or violent.
Liberal
(Obsolete) Morally unrestrained; licentious.
Moderate
To preside over
She was chosen to moderate the convention.
Liberal
A person with liberal ideas or opinions.
Moderate
To become less extreme, intense, or violent; abate.
Liberal
Liberal A member of a Liberal political party.
Moderate
To act as a moderator.
Liberal
Pertaining to those arts and sciences the study of which is considered to provide general knowledge, as opposed to vocational/occupational, technical or mechanical training.
He had a full education studying the liberal arts.
Moderate
Not excessive; acting in moderation
Moderate language
A moderate Calvinist
Travelling at a moderate speed
Liberal
Generous; permitting liberty; willing to give unsparingly.
He was liberal with his compliments.
Moderate
More than mild, less than severe
Liberal
Ample, abundant; generous in quantity.
Add a liberal sprinkling of salt.
Moderate
Mediocre
Liberal
(obsolete) Unrestrained, licentious.
Moderate
Average priced; standard-deal
Liberal
Widely open to new ideas, willing to depart from established opinions or conventions; permissive.
Her parents had liberal ideas about child-rearing.
Moderate
Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle.
A moderate winter
Liberal
(politics) Open to political or social changes and reforms associated with either classical or modern liberalism.
Moderate
Having an intermediate position between liberal and conservative.
Liberal
One with liberal views, supporting individual liberty (see Wikipedia's article on Liberalism).
Moderate
One who holds an intermediate position between extremes, as in politics.
While the moderates usually propose political compromise, it's often only achieved when the extremists allow them so
The moderates are the natural advocates of ecumenism against the fanatics of their churches.
Liberal
(US) Someone with progressive or left-wing views; one with a left-wing ideology.
Moderate
One of a party in Scottish Church history dominant in the 18th century, lax in doctrine and discipline, but intolerant of evangelicalism and popular rights. It caused the secessions of 1733 and 1761, and its final resultant was the Disruption of 1843.
Liberal
A supporter of any of several liberal parties.
Moderate
(transitive) To reduce the excessiveness of (something)
To moderate rage, action, desires, etc.
Liberal
(UK) One who favors individual voting rights, human and civil rights, and laissez-faire markets also called "classical liberal"; compare libertarian.
Moderate
(intransitive) To become less excessive
Liberal
Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman; refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit; liberal arts or studies.
Moderate
(transitive) To preside over (something) as a moderator
To moderate a synod
Liberal
Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver.
Infinitely good, and of his goodAs liberal and free as infinite.
Moderate
(intransitive) To act as a moderator; to assist in bringing to compromise
Liberal
Bestowed in a large way; hence, more than sufficient; abundant; bountiful; ample; profuse; as, a liberal gift; a liberal discharge of matter or of water.
His wealth doth warrant a liberal dower.
Moderate
To supply with a moderator substance that decreases the speed of neutrons in a nuclear reactor and hence increases likelihood of fission.
A graphite-moderated reactor
Liberal
Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the literal sense; free; as, a liberal translation of a classic, or a liberal construction of law or of language.
Moderate
Kept within due bounds; observing reasonable limits; not excessive, extreme, violent, or rigorous; limited; restrained
A number of moderate members managed . . . to obtain a majority in a thin house.
Liberal
Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic.
Moderate
Not violent or rigorous; temperate; mild; gentle; as, a moderate winter.
Liberal
Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious.
Moderate
One of a party in the Church of Scotland in the 18th century, and part of the 19th, professing moderation in matters of church government, in discipline, and in doctrine.
Liberal
Not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion; not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the constitution or administration of government; having tendency toward democratic or republican, as distinguished from monarchical or aristocratic, forms; as, liberal thinkers; liberal Christians; the Liberal party.
I confess I see nothing liberal in this " order of thoughts," as Hobbes elsewhere expresses it.
Moderate
To restrain from excess of any kind; to reduce from a state of violence, intensity, or excess; to keep within bounds; to make temperate; to lessen; to allay; to repress; to temper; to qualify; as, to moderate rage, action, desires, etc.; to moderate heat or wind.
By its astringent quality, it moderates the relaxing quality of warm water.
To moderate stiff minds disposed to strive.
Liberal
One who favors greater freedom in political or religious matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer; in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so called. Cf. Whig.
Moderate
To preside over, direct, or regulate, as a public meeting or a discussion; as, to moderate a synod; to moderate a debate.
Liberal
A person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties
Moderate
To become less violent, severe, rigorous, or intense; as, the wind has moderated.
Liberal
A person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets
Moderate
To preside as a moderator.
Dr. Barlow [was] engaged . . . to moderate for him in the divinity disputation.
Liberal
Showing or characterized by broad-mindedness;
A broad political stance
Generous and broad sympathies
A liberal newspaper
Tolerant of his opponent's opinions
Moderate
A person who takes a position in the political center
Liberal
Having political or social views favoring reform and progress
Moderate
Preside over;
John moderated the discussion
Liberal
Tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition
Moderate
Make less fast or intense;
Moderate your speed
Liberal
Given or giving freely;
Was a big tipper
The bounteous goodness of God
Bountiful compliments
A freehanded host
A handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
A liberal backer of the arts
A munificent gift
Her fond and openhanded grandfather
Moderate
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
Moderate your alcohol intake
Hold your tongue
Hold your temper
Control your anger
Liberal
Not literal;
A loose interpretation of what she had been told
A free translation of the poem
Moderate
Make less severe or harsh;
He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears
Liberal
Supporting governmental intervention in economic and social affairs.
Liberal leaders often advocate for comprehensive welfare programs.
Moderate
Make less strong or intense; soften;
Tone down that aggressive letter
The author finally tamed some of his potentially offensive statements
Liberal
Advocating for social equality and human rights.
The liberal activist fought relentlessly for equal rights for all citizens.
Moderate
Restrain or temper
Liberal
Open to new ideas and willing to discard traditional values.
The liberal professor encouraged students to question established norms.
Moderate
Being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme;
Moderate prices
A moderate income
A moderate fine
Moderate demands
A moderate estimate
A moderate eater
Moderate success
A kitchen of moderate size
The X-ray showed moderate enlargement of the heart
Liberal
Generous in giving.
He was liberal in sharing his resources with the less fortunate.
Moderate
Not extreme;
A moderate penalty
Temperate in his response to criticism
Moderate
Marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes;
Moderate in his demands
Restrained in his response
Moderate
Holding balanced and centrist views.
The moderate senator worked to find common ground between opposing parties.
Moderate
Neither excessive nor inadequate; reasonable.
The leader took a moderate stance on the controversial issue.
Moderate
Avoiding extremes of behavior or expression.
The journalist had a moderate tone while discussing sensitive topics.
FAQs
What is the main difference between liberal and moderate?
Liberals advocate for progressive change and governmental intervention, while moderates seek a balanced, centrist approach, combining aspects of liberal and conservative views.
Do liberals support more government intervention than moderates?
Generally, yes; liberals typically favor more government intervention in economic and social affairs compared to moderates.
Are all liberals progressive?
While liberalism is associated with progressivism, not all liberals may align with all progressive views.
Do liberals prioritize social equality?
Yes, liberals often prioritize social equality, advocating for policies that address disparities and injustices.
Is a moderate approach slower in implementing changes?
A moderate approach may implement changes more gradually, focusing on balance and consensus.
Can a person be both liberal and moderate?
Yes, an individual can hold liberal views on some issues and moderate views on others, reflecting a nuanced perspective.
Can liberal policies be transformative?
Yes, liberal policies can be transformative, aiming to address and rectify systemic issues.
Can liberal views be conservative on certain issues?
Yes, individuals with liberal views can have conservative opinions on specific subjects, reflecting diverse thought.
Are moderates indecisive?
No, being moderate is about seeking balance and compromise between extremes, not indecisiveness.
Are moderates always in the middle of the political spectrum?
Generally, yes; moderates tend to hold views that are between liberal and conservative extremes.
Do moderates resist change?
Moderates do not resist change per se but prefer gradual and balanced changes to radical shifts.
Do moderates value individual freedoms?
Yes, moderates often value individual freedoms and weigh them against societal needs.
Can moderates have strong political convictions?
Absolutely, moderates can have strong convictions about balance, compromise, and nuanced perspectives.
Do liberal and moderate views contribute to democratic discourse?
Yes
Are liberals open to discarding traditional values?
Liberals are generally more open to questioning and revising traditional values to accommodate evolving societal norms.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
