The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg Classically Understood
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Jun 19, 2025 Dr. Jeffrey Collins, a professor at the Hamilton Center, dives into the rich intellectual history of liberalism, revealing its evolution from Hobbes to modern-day debates. He discusses the complexities of economic influences and the role of Christianity in shaping secularism. The conversation critiques integralism and highlights the philosophical tensions within liberalism regarding consent and community values. Collins also explores John Rawls' ideas, emphasizing the pressing need for a nuanced understanding of liberalism's relevance today.
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Dual Origins of Liberalism
- Liberalism has dual origins in political economy and religious toleration, especially linked to Protestantism.
- It deals with market economics and conscience as a foundational subjective right in modern rights regimes.
Hobbes' Radicalism vs Locke's Convention
- Hobbes showed more originality, advocating for an absolutist state, while Locke supported representative government.
- Liberalism historically was more a policy agenda and political economy than a fully formed political theory.
Liberalism and Republicanism Intertwined
- Liberalism in the 18th and 19th centuries often overlapped with republicanism advocating for constitutional government.
- Liberalism's attachment to democracy and constitutional restraint was significant but possibly contingent.
