Lincoln’s Politics Today

I am fortunate to work with some well-read, very smart people. Some are even the sort of people who are fun to argue with because they have the unique ability to listen to another side and offer rational arguments for or against a certain point.

Recently when I overheard a discussion emerging about The American Civil War, and Lincoln’s political moves during it, I could not help but insert myself into the conversation. The Civil War, politics in general, and Lincoln himself all fascinate me as individual topics — a discussion on all three is just outstanding. In the rich debate that followed, a question emerged that I now pose to the other members of The Gradient:

Was Abraham Lincoln a liberal politician by today’s standards?

I submit that he was. Already I can feel some balking at the very notion. But let us first define the adjective terms liberal and conservative, according to Merriam-Webster.

Liberal — believing that government should be active in supporting social and political change : relating to or supporting political liberalism

Conservative — believing in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society : relating to or supporting political conservatism

Now I already know a standard counter argument, that Lincoln was a member of the then new Republican party and cannot be a liberal. But note how liberal ≠ Democrat, and conservative ≠ Republican in the definitions. Regardless, I think there are (at least) two main points that make Lincoln out to be a Liberal:

1. His stated opposition to the institution of slavery
2. His use of government power to force social and political change