I think the traditional meaning of the word liberal refers to something close to the opinions of The Economist. Socially liberal, economically liberal, and typi

I think the traditional meaning of the word liberal refers to something close to the opinions of The Economist. Socially liberal, economically liberal, and typically moderately imperialist (usually for paternalistic moral reasons). So there's not really much overlap between liberals and the left - it's only the case in America, where the left is really emaciated, where liberalism and leftism become conflated.