Liberalism is one of the major political theories and ideologies of our time; however, it is subject to many and varied interpretations, as well as to misunderstandings, which significantly complicates its definition.

What does liberalism really mean? Greater individual freedom or treating everyone with the same respect? To be more humane or more productive?

Is a free but unregulated market liberal? Is a democratically elected government that does not account for its decisions liberal?

The liberal credentials are highly controversial: those who believe that liberalism is primarily about unrestrained private activity and those who believe that liberalism is about the satisfactory development of the individual within a society of mutual support and collective goals have little in common.