Liberals believe in change and reform. In support of these general goals, liberal groups promote diversity, social programs for the disadvantaged, and government regulations that protect workers and the environment. In general, liberals favor the federal government taking an active role in the lives of the citizenry.

Many liberal groups assert that without laws regulating commerce, business owners will not act for the common good. Turn Left, a website for liberals, claims that liberals are responsible for environmental laws that have reduced pollution and for labor laws that have improved the working conditions of employees. Liberal groups take credit for the Americans With Disabilities Act—which makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities—and for Social Security—which helps alleviate poverty among the elderly. Some liberal groups—which detractors label “extreme”— believe that...