Why do many people classify themselves as progressives rather than liberals?

Here’s my little history with the terms. I used liberal up until Clinton. It then seemed that liberal had been co-opted and was associated with all kinds of establishment horseshit that I found decidedly regressive. So, I started using progressive. For the past 5 years or so, I have – and others I know – tried to take back the term. I will use both now.

Really though – neither of these terms will buy you much. You still have to do a ton of elaborating to make sure your positions are clear. So sure. I’m liberal, progressive, as well as feminist, socialist, etc.

In general, I don’t think it matters. I just “classify” myself as liberal because a long time ago when I was reading about the different ideologies, that one made the most sense. But now I do not care and I don’t really call myself anything in a serious manner unless I’m asked. If asked, I may just say progressive, or avoid the conversation.

In San Francisco, progressive is beyond liberal. Gavin Newsom and Nancy Pelosi are liberals and are considered in red states to be a little to the left of Trotsky. But in SF, they are considered by the progressives as too conservative and beholden to the old guard.

The biggest difference is that the progressives do not have any interest in compromising to get things done. They are as unreasonable in negotiating as the Tea Party is on the right.

I agree with @tom_g, that the meanings of these terms changes with time and events. In Canada, this is further confused by the fact that among our political parties, we have a Liberal party, and in the past, we had a Progressive Conservative party. The Liberals are the least left-leaning of the progressive parties, and the Progressive Conservatives quickly evolved into the right-wing Conservative party. =)

People like to belong to a group, tribal genetics at work, like ant colonies. Those who stand
alone, are not swayed by labels, and who believe each question needs a thoughtful answer, shed such constraints. Like fluther.

@tom_g From what others have told me the term liberal essentially means being conservative, with the exceptions of being less rigid with their thinking along with having a bit more support for social protection programs.

Most people who identified themselves as progressives to me have said that liberals are the same as conservatives with those few exceptions I’ve mentioned above. I’m sure everybody has different reasons for classifying themselves as they do though.

@dannyc I still havn’t found my group yet so I guess I’m as much as a loner as they come, lol.

@dappled_leaves Theodore Roosevelt could have been classified as a Progressive Conservative, especially in his later days.