Liberalism is facing challenges from within and without, raising questions about its future and impact on politics.
Thomas Hobbes' ideas about consent and protection of individuals still hold relevance in the face of challenges to liberalism.
The shift towards radical individualism in liberalism has led to conflicts and limitations, impacting the legitimacy of liberal politics.
Deep dives
The Decline of Liberalism
The podcast episode discusses the decline of liberalism and the challenges it is currently facing. It explores how liberalism, which is based on the idea of individual freedom and limited state power, has been challenged both from within and without. The episode raises questions about the future of liberalism and its impact on our political landscape.
The Legacy of Thomas Hobbes
The podcast highlights the ideas of Thomas Hobbes, a 17th-century philosopher and his contributions to liberalism. It emphasizes Hobbes' belief that political power should be based on the consent of the governed and the protection of individuals. The episode argues that Hobbes' ideas are still relevant today, as liberalism is being confronted with internal and external challenges.
The Shift to Radical Individualism
The podcast explores how liberalism has shifted towards a radical individualism, where self-creation and self-expression have become dominant ideals. It discusses how this focus on personal freedom has led to conflicts in society, as different identity groups compete for recognition and validation. The episode raises concerns about the limitations of this view and its impact on the legitimacy of liberal politics.
The Economic Model and Discontent
The podcast highlights the role of the economic model adopted by liberal societies after the Cold War in creating social and economic disparities. It argues that the abandonment of the social democratic model has led to the marginalization and discontent of working-class communities and large parts of the middle class. The episode suggests that this economic failure has contributed to the rise of populist movements and the challenges faced by liberal societies.
The Uncertain Future
The podcast speculates on the uncertain future of liberalism. It suggests that liberal societies might continue to experience internal fragmentation and disintegration, with different regions and ideologies emerging. The episode also questions the ability of liberalism to address its legitimacy crisis, where a significant portion of the population considers any election result as illegitimate. It concludes by highlighting the declining global influence of the liberal order, potentially leading to a significant shift in global power dynamics.
Sean Illing is joined by John Gray, political philosopher and author of the new book, The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism. They discuss Thomas Hobbes and the origins of liberalism, the current state of democracy, and the very uncertain future of the global liberal order.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area
Guest: John Gray, author and political philosopher