The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Whatever this is, it isn’t liberalism

142 snips
Apr 14, 2025
In a thought-provoking conversation, political philosopher John Gray, author of The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism, challenges the long-held beliefs about the dominance of liberal democracy. He discusses the decline of liberalism, highlighting failures across nations like Russia and China. Gray also explores the complexities of political identity, the fragility of societal order, and the impacts of the 'woke movement.' Amidst a legitimacy crisis in America, he urges a deeper understanding of the historical forces shaping current political landscapes.
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INSIGHT

Liberalism's Decline

  • John Gray argues that liberalism is declining, evidenced by geopolitical trends and restrictions on free speech.
  • He observes that institutions like universities and media organizations are now curtailing free expression.
INSIGHT

Core of Liberalism

  • Liberalism's core principle is that rulers serve the governed, lacking inherent right to rule.
  • This contrasts with theories advocating rule by philosophers, kings, or the virtuous.
INSIGHT

Hobbes's Liberalism

  • Hobbes, considered the first and last great liberal philosopher by Gray, believed rulers derive authority from protecting the ruled.
  • When protection fails, the obligation to obey dissolves.
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