L: Clode's Right Political Dictionary
“Liberal”/ “Liberalism” There is a distinction between the British usage of this term, and the American use. In the original British sense, “liberal” refers to support for individual freedom. This notion of “liberal” is found in countries such as Japan, Korea and Australia, where the major conservative parties adopt the word “Liberal” in their party names. In the United States, the term “liberalism” has taken on a bastardised meaning which now verges on being synonymous with “socialism”. Left liberals tend to favour greater central government power, taxation and regulation to remove differences from society. There is also an overlap between left liberals and libertarians in their common support for feminism, homosexual rights, abortion and similar freedoms of personal choice and behaviour. Such issues divide “social” conservatives from their more libertarian allies.
“Local government” This term refers to management of the affairs of a shire, municipality, county, or town, by people who are elected by the residents of that area. This issues administered by local government include minor government matters such as garbage collection, water supply, tree felling, and construction approval. The group of people who are elected to meet and administer local affairs are sometimes called “Councillors” and meet as a “Council”. Local government is often used by parties as a training ground for candidates who can later go on to become state legislators or national legislators.