Understanding Liberalism: Part I - Post-liberalism, Classical Liberalism, and the Post-War Consensus
Oct 6, 2023
auto_awesome
Jon Harris, Ben Crenshaw, and Timon Cline discuss post-liberal authors, classical liberalism, and the post-war consensus. They explore the impact of liberal internationalism, the collapse of the international order, the resurgence of religion in politics, and the evolution of western political thought. The chapter also delves into the origins and development of liberalism, as well as the challenges of maintaining a liberal society.
Classical liberalism fails to account for the importance of shared beliefs and cultural cohesion in maintaining a stable society.
Post-liberal thinkers critique classical liberalism for its focus on individual rights and neglect of societal factors.
Reconsidering the basic assumptions and structures of liberalism is necessary to address complex societal issues.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Liberalism
The podcast explores the different stages of liberalism, starting from the Enlightenment period and progressing through the progressive era, classical liberalism, and neoliberalism. The speakers analyze the impact of each stage on society and the compromises made along the way.
The Rejection of Shared Beliefs
Classical liberalism, influenced by thinkers like John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, emphasizes individual rights and freedom. However, the podcast highlights the failure of classical liberalism to account for the importance of shared beliefs and cultural cohesion in maintaining a stable society.
The Critique of Classical Liberalism
Post-liberal thinkers, such as Patrick Deneen and Adrian Vermeule, critique classical liberalism for its focus on individual rights and its neglect of other important societal factors. They argue that classical liberalism has contributed to the breakdown of social bonds and the erosion of cultural foundations.
The Need for Reconsideration
The podcast underlines the need to reconsider the basic assumptions and structures of liberalism. This includes examining the role of religion, the concept of nationhood, and the balance between individual rights and communal values. These conversations challenge the prevailing idea of liberalism and its ability to address the complex issues facing society today.
The Importance of Challenging Assumptions
The speakers emphasize the significance of questioning and reassessing the fundamental assumptions of liberalism. They highlight the limitations of a rights-based approach and advocate for a more nuanced understanding of societal foundations and the necessary prerequisites for a stable and flourishing society.
Jon Harris, Ben Crenshaw, and Timon Cline discuss Postliberal authors and ideas, as well as the distinction between Classical Liberalism and the Post-War Consensus.
For more: https://jonharrispodcast.com/
To support: https://www.worldviewconversation.com/support/