The Gray Area with Sean Illing Whatever this is, it isn’t liberalism
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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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Limited State, Unlimited Power
- Hobbes's liberalism differs from modern versions. It prioritizes security over rights.
- The state can do anything for peace but cannot enforce specific virtues.
Liberalism in Practice
- John Gray believes that liberalism, as a practiced system, has become weaker.
- He points to the politicization of judicial institutions and the shrinking space of private life.
Liberalism as Religion
- Liberalism, initially secularizing monotheistic values, evolved into a political religion.
- John Stuart Mill explicitly adopted the idea of a "religion of humanity."
