>>7 &
>>8
Yeah. But those words don't mean that anymore to most people in North America. To North Americans:
Conservative: Right wing, favors low taxes, low spending, lots of financial freedom for the people, downsizing government, government promotion of family values, pro-life, pro-2nd amendment, etc. Basically, an advocate for small government, except in certain cases such as abortion or gay marriage.
(examples: Ronald Reagan)
Liberal: Big-government advocate, favors socialization of various industries, expansion of government role in the economy, higher taxes, less financial freedom, supports gun control, supports privacy, supports abortion. More recently 'liberals' have favored a more conservative (less government involvement, or 'restrained' foreign policy).
(examples: Dennis Kucinich)
Neo-conservative: A new brand of conservative that blends old-style conservative positions with a liberal (big government, less restrained) foreign policy. Favors big spending on the military, tends to be weak on privacy rights, and holds conservative positions on most other issues.
(examples: George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush, many modern day Republicans)
Traditional Democrat: Similar to 'liberal' but supports a liberal foreign policy.
(examples: Hillary Clinton, Lyndon Johnson, FDR, Truman)
Libertarian: Basically means the same thing or something very similar to what 'liberal' means in some other parts of the world - that is an advocate of smaller, less restrictive, less intrusive, and less powerful government. Lower taxes, conservative foreign policy, economic liberty, and personal freedoms galore. Some small government democrats or small government republicans might be more accurately called libertarians, such as Ron Paul.
(examples: Milton Friedman, Ron Paul, Thomas Jefferson, many of the American 'Founding Fathers,' etc.)
Just a general description of the meanings in a modern context as I understand these political philosophies.