Abstract

In contemporary Latin America “liberalism” has become a political discourse that includes the defense of constitutional democracy and basic individual rights and freedoms, the rule of law, a tolerant social culture that positively values the growing pluralism of ways of life, the rights of minorities—which include both cultural and sexual minorities, the separation of church and state, and a secularized social and political culture. Regarding economic matters liberals differ on the degree to which the State ought to regulate market forces, alleviate poverty, and take steps to moderate economic inequality. While some liberals reject what they consider “statism”, others favor what has been called “socioliberalism” or “social” liberalism.