Is The U.S. More Liberal Now Than In The Past And Will That Trend Continue In The Future ?

These charts were made from information in a YouGov Poll. That poll was done on September 29th and 30th of a random national sample of 1,000 adults, and has a margin of error of 4 points. The poll asked if this country was more "liberal" than in the past, and if this country would be more liberal 25 years from now than it currently is.

It turns out that 62% think we are more liberal than 100 years ago, 61% say we are more liberal than 50 years ago, and 57% say we are more liberal than 25 years ago. Maybe it would be best to define "liberal" now. Dictionary.com gives the following as the first four definitions:

1.     favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

2.

(often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political partyadvocating measures of progressive political reform.

3.

of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism, especially thefreedom of the individual and governmental guarantees of individualrights and liberties.

4.

favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individualfreedom possible, especially as guaranteed by law and secured bygovernmental protection of civil liberties.

The chart above shows a significant majority believe we are more liberal than in the past.  Using the definitions above, I would have to agree. 100 years ago, workers had few rights, there was no minimum wage, there was no social security, and child labor was still widespread. 50 years ago, minorities and women were still fighting for equal rights. And 25 years ago, the LGBT community still could not marry the person they loved, medical care was considered a product rather than a right.

We have made progress in all of those areas -- in spite of a rabid conservative opposition. Much has been accomplished, and today this country is a better and fairer country than ever before.

But much remains to be done, and that is why I am encouraged by the chart below. It seems that a substantial plurality of the public believes this trend will continue, and 25 years from now we will be an even more liberal country. And a plurality of between 34% and 47% of all groups agree with that assessment -- even 47% of Republicans (who abhor even the thought of a liberal America).

It has never been easy, and sometimes this country takes a small step back before progressing, but we are moving in the right direction -- towards guaranteeing equal rights and opportunities for all citizens.