All the Kingdoms of the World: On Radical Religious Alternatives to Liberalism
Oct 26, 2023
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The podcast discusses the rejection of liberal principles by some strains of the new right, tensions between liberalism and established religions, the views of Catholic integralists and their role in American politics, the Catholic integralist movement's disregard for American institutions, and the difference between standard issue conservatism and current fights happening in society.
Liberalism has evolved over time and gradually developed neutrality towards religion
Religious anti-liberalism critiques liberalism for prioritizing individual autonomy over community and natural order, but there are multiple versions of liberalism that prioritize equality and respond to specific forms of oppression.
Deep dives
Critique of Religious Anti-Liberalism
In this podcast, Kevin Valier discusses his new book, 'All the Kingdoms of the World,' where he critiques Catholic Integralism and other anti-liberal religious ideas. He defines liberalism as encompassing protection of individual and group liberties, equality, toleration, and mutual advantage. Valier acknowledges tensions between liberalism and established religion due to liberalism's skepticism of religion and its preference for religious toleration. He argues against the anti-liberal claim that liberal neutrality is a lie and emphasizes the gradual development of neutrality over time. He also rebuts the criticism that liberalism prioritizes individual autonomy over community and natural order, highlighting the historical context and diverse manifestations of liberalism.
The Arguments and Goals of Religious Anti-Liberalism
The podcast delves into the arguments posed by religious anti-liberalists, particularly Catholic integralists, who reject universal religious toleration and advocate for state establishment of religion based on divine authority. They argue that liberal neutrality is incoherent, claiming that government must take a controversial perspective. Valier counters this by recognizing the reasonableness of striving for imperfect neutrality. Anti-liberalists also criticize liberalism for focusing on individual autonomy at the expense of community and the natural order. Valier points out that there are multiple versions of liberalism, some of which prioritize equality and respond to specific forms of oppression. The podcast also explores the political goals of these groups, including potential shifts in American politics and efforts to co-opt the modern administrative state.
Challenges and Concerns of Religious Anti-Liberalism
The podcast highlights several challenges and concerns regarding religious anti-liberalism. The lack of reflection on potential abuses of power by religious institutions under a results-oriented jurisprudence is noted. These views prioritize achieving specific goals over intrinsic fairness and disregard the importance of institutions like the rule of law. The podcast also discusses the potential erosion of societal trust without liberal institutions that allow diverse individuals to trust one another. Additionally, the podcast raises questions about the realism of returning to a previous cultural period and resisting ongoing societal changes. The tension between protecting past gains while advocating for conservative principles is highlighted, with Valier noting the distinctive ideological approach of religious anti-liberalists.