Patrick Deneen, a political theorist, explores the roots and ironies of liberalism, highlighting the dis-ease within the philosophy. He discusses how liberalism has affected different classes and turned goods like family and community into luxury items. Deneen also delves into the role of multiculturalism and reflects on the need for a successor philosophy to liberalism.
Liberalism, as a philosophy focused on individual freedom, is flawed and bound to fail, giving rise to both the right and the left.
Liberalism operates as an anti-culture, undermining traditional cultural forms, values, and social bonds.
There is a shifting political landscape challenging the liberal order, with the possibility of a coalition between the old left and a new right emerging.
Deep dives
The Two Sides of Liberalism
Liberalism, historically known as liberalism, is a political philosophy that defines a world in which liberty is the absence of constraints on individual desires. However, author Patrick Denine argues that this philosophy, which gave rise to both the right and the left, is flawed and bound to fail. Denine highlights the danger of liberalism's focus on individual freedom and the rejection of traditional cultural values and institutions. He suggests that the modern political divide is really two sides of the same coin, both rooted in the same flawed philosophy. Denine's book, Why Liberalism Failed, explores the consequences of liberalism's success in creating a society that is atomized and lacking in social connections and community.
The Anti-Culture of Liberalism
Liberalism operates as an anti-culture, seeking to dissolve traditional cultural forms and values. Denine argues that liberalism undermines the family, religion, and other foundational institutions by promoting a vision of freedom that does not consider the limitations and responsibilities that come with it. This anti-culture approach erodes social bonds and leads to social dissolution and isolation. Denine suggests that countering this anti-culture requires the intentional building of cultural practices and forms that prioritize community, tradition, and shared values.
The Shift in Political Landscape
Denine observes a shifting political landscape marked by a growing resistance to liberalism's intrusions into family and religious values. The rise of movements like Brexit, populism, and the election of Donald Trump reflect a reconfiguration of politics and a challenge to the liberal order. Denine notes the possibility of a coalition between the old left and a new right in their criticism of liberal ideology. He sees this as a sign of a larger redefinition of politics and calls for a new successor philosophy to liberalism as the current ideology is reaching its limits and no longer enjoys a shared consensus in society.
Short-Term Practices and Long-Term Vision
In the short term, Denine suggests people can counter liberalism's anti-culture by actively building cultural forms and practices where they are. This involves embracing and preserving traditions, engaging in community-building activities, and prioritizing family and religion. In the long term, Denine envisions a reconfiguration of politics and the development of a new philosophy that recognizes the importance of tradition, community, and social bonds. He emphasizes the need for a shift away from the ideology of liberalism towards a more holistic and balanced perspective on human flourishing.
The Need for Epic Theorizing
Denine anticipates a period of realignment and possible political transformation in the next decade or beyond. He identifies the breakdown of the settled intramural debate as a sign of the end of a certain period of ideology. Denine sees hope in the reemergence of critiques from both the left and the right against liberalism's failures and limitations. However, he acknowledges the unpredictable nature of politics and the challenges of defining a successor philosophy to liberalism. Denine calls for deeper thought and epic theorizing to navigate these uncharted waters and shape the future of our society.
What if the seemingly-opposite political forces of Left and Right are really two sides of the same philosophical coin? Patrick Deneen discusses the ways in which the modern West has taken for granted its long-held philosophy of Liberalism, and why this philosophy is starting to show signs of an inevitable failure.
