Help me understand America

The rest of the world:
Liberalism: Low taxes, small government, small public sector and large individual freedom.
Socialism: High taxes, large government, large public sector and possibly limited individual freedom (in favor of collectivism).
Conservatism: Not considered an ideology per se and essence depends largely on the country and that country's history.

America:
Liberalism: High taxes (?), large government (?), large public sector (?). Limited individual freedoms (?)
Socialism: Same as liberalism?
Conservatism: European liberalism but with elements of traditional Christian values?

I'm not at all sure about America, but I often hear "liberal" and "socialist" used interchangeably (or the former referred to as "the left"). And what exactly is conservatism in America? Do you have other important ideologies? Correct or fill in the blanks please.

To keep it short I'll be abstract. The libertarian view tends to be the most accurate abstract view, this is it..

The rest of the world:
Liberalism: Liberal democracy. Socialism up to a point (welfare) with the belief that some restrictions on economic and personal liberty not directly associated with law enforcement are needed and won't lead to the slippery slope.
Socialism: Single party state control over major industries for the benefit of the workers.
Conservatism: Not considered an ideology per se and essence depends largely on the country and that country's history. Tends towards nationalism, the more militaristic side of the nation, restrict arbitrary personal freedoms and a certain amount of populism.

America:
Liberalism: A political doctrine of over-simplification and sudden short term change leads to a less structured version of liberal democracy. Welfare distribution is less utilitarian and restrictions on personal and economic freedom are more arbitrary.
Socialism: Same as liberalism except aimed at preserving voters rather than gaining them. Lack of criticism leads to more corruption. Often accompanied by various conspiracy theories.
Conservatism: Is supported by several large voting bases including america's large business oriented middle class which slants american conservatism for economic freedom and against personal freedom.

It's strange, we only have two major parties and they both contradict themselves. Republicans are economic liberals in the European sense, they are proponents of Capitalism and the free market, yet socially they call for a form of theocracy. The Democrats like non-religiously influenced personal liberties but their economic model is socialism. Basically the Libertarian party is the only party that fully falls under the European definition of liberalism. The European definition of liberal makes more sense, here it tends to mean that the party is liberal with the powers of government, IE, socialism.

American Political Left and Right make no sense and don't follow the idea of Social Contract
 

The further you go left or right, the further you move away from common sense

John McCain has said American politicians have tried too hard to satisfy the exrtreme ends of their supporters... before he started kissing Falwell's ass

>>4
because we are anti-social.

>>3

OP here. Thank you, that was very insightful. I had never considered that take on liberalism, ie to be "liberal" with government power. It sheds some light on the issue.

A = asholes
M = Molesters
E = Enouches
R = Rapists
I = Incest
C = Cunts
A = Arsonists

put them all together in one place, and you have Americans

>>8
I suppose you're also the type of person who finds it funny to spell 'America' with three k's instead of a c. Grow up already.

in america:
republicans == democrats

there is but one "ideology" (if you can even call it that), the rest is pretense

The thing is in American politics Liberals do not represent the ideas of classical liberalism.  The "Liberals" of today represent a gross distortion of what it and could be called Neo-liberalism.  They're all for high taxes and a huge government and a stiff cock up your ass if you dare disagree with them.

American liberals are the scum of the earth.
(the conservatives aren't much better, but at least the take definite stances and can get things done when there's a profit to be made)

The only thing you'll ever need to learn about America is that its controlled by Jooz.