What Went Wrong with Liberalism and How We Can Save it, with Samuel Moyn

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Jan 24, 2025

Samuel Moyn, Chancellor Kent Professor of Law and History at Yale University, delves into the crisis of liberalism, tracing its roots to the Cold War. He examines how the disenchantment with liberalism today stems from economic inequalities and the rise of populism, sparked by figures like Trump. Moyn discusses the philosophical divide between Rawls and Nozick, advocating for a rethinking of liberal principles. He emphasizes the need to reinvigorate liberalism’s radical promise and suggests a shift from defensive to offensive strategies to adapt for the future.

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INSIGHT

Liberalism's Self-Inflicted Wounds

Samuel Moyn's book analyzes how Cold War intellectuals' defense of liberalism shaped our times.
He argues that their efforts unintentionally weakened liberalism's revolutionary potential.

INSIGHT

The Trump Effect

The resurgence of Donald Trump prompted a debate about liberalism's role in his rise.
Moyn's book responds to this by tracing the changes in liberal thought during the Cold War.

INSIGHT

Liberalism and Democracy

Early liberals aimed for emancipation but were wary of democracy due to concerns about voters' preparedness.
Modern liberalism embraces democracy, but power often gets concentrated in elites.

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A theory of justice

John Rawls

In 'A Theory of Justice,' John Rawls develops a moral theory of justice as fairness, which is an alternative to utilitarianism. The theory is based on the social contract approach and uses the concept of the original position and the veil of ignorance to derive two principles of justice. The first principle, the greatest equal liberty principle, ensures that each person has an equal right to the most extensive total system of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for all. The second principle, which includes the difference principle and the equal opportunity principle, states that social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged and attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity. Rawls's theory aims to reconcile liberty and equality in a well-ordered society.

Why Liberalism Failed

Patrick J. Deneen

In 'Why Liberalism Failed,' Patrick J. Deneen critiques both classical liberalism (often called libertarianism) and progressive/modern liberalism. He argues that liberalism has created contradictions such as fostering material inequality despite advocating for equal rights, discouraging civic commitments in favor of privatism, and giving rise to a comprehensive state system while pursuing individual autonomy. Deneen contends that liberalism's success is generating its own failure, leading to issues like income inequality, cultural decline, atomization, and the erosion of freedoms. The book examines the outcomes of the growth of the state, the construction of the free market, and the effects of technology on freedoms and culture[1][3][4].

Anarchy, State, and Utopia

Robert Nozick

In 'Anarchy, State, and Utopia', Robert Nozick presents a rigorous argument in favor of a minimal state, limited to the narrow functions of protection against force, theft, fraud, and the enforcement of contracts. He critiques more extensive state activities as violations of individual rights and argues against more extreme views such as anarcho-capitalism. Nozick's work is influenced by John Locke, Immanuel Kant, and Friedrich Hayek, and it includes a theory of rights, a critique of John Rawls' 'A Theory of Justice', and a model of utopia. The book is a foundational text of libertarian thought and has been widely acclaimed for its philosophical richness and analytical argumentation[1][2][5].

Liberalism Against Itself

Samuel Moyn

Two concepts of liberty

Isaiah Berlin

Isaiah Berlin's "Two Concepts of Liberty" is a seminal essay in political philosophy that distinguishes between two fundamental conceptions of freedom: negative liberty and positive liberty. Negative liberty refers to freedom from external constraints, while positive liberty refers to the capacity to act autonomously and pursue one's goals. Berlin argues that these two concepts are often in tension, and that an overemphasis on positive liberty can lead to the suppression of individual rights. The essay's enduring influence lies in its clear articulation of the complexities of freedom and its implications for political thought. It remains a crucial text for understanding the ongoing debates about the nature of liberty and its role in a just society.

The retreat of western liberalism

Edward Luce

In 'The Retreat of Western Liberalism', Edward Luce argues that the erosion of middle-class incomes has undermined the liberal democratic consensus, leading to a crisis in Western societies. He attributes this crisis to ignorance of what it took to build the West, arrogance towards society’s economic losers, and complacency about the system’s durability. Luce combines on-the-ground reporting with economic analysis and synthesis of literature to highlight the weakening of Western hegemony and the need for those who believe in enlightenment values to defend them against internal and external threats. The book examines global ideas, situations, and data from various countries, including the US, UK, Hungary, Turkey, China, and India, and discusses topics such as Western Exceptionalism, international diplomacy, social and cultural ideas, and immigration and identity politics.