Editing Liberalization (section)

==In social policy and government==
In social policy, liberalization may refer to a relaxation of laws restricting certain practices or activities, such as [[Divorce law by country|divorce]], [[Abortion law|abortion]], or [[Prohibition of drugs|psychoactive drugs]]. Regarding [[Civil and political rights|civil rights]], it may refer to the elimination of [[Sodomy law|laws prohibiting homosexuality]], [[Gun ownership|private ownership of firearms]] or other items, [[same-sex marriage]], [[Interracial marriage|inter-racial marriage]], or [[Interfaith marriage|inter-faith marriage]].{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}

There is a distinct difference between liberalization and [[democratization]]. Liberalization can take place without democratization, and deals with a combination of policy and social change specialized to a certain issue, such as the liberalization of government-held property for private purchase. Democratization is politically highly specialized; it can arise from a liberalization but works on a broader level of governmental liberalization.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}