The Daily Signal Presents “The “Signal Sitdown - Woke Is Liberalism All Grown Up | Dr. Patrick Deneen

Sep 6, 2025

In a thought-provoking conversation, Patrick Deneen, a Notre Dame professor and author known for his critique of liberalism, dives deep into the failures and future of this ideology. He discusses how liberalism, despite its initial promises, has led to societal divides and the rise of identity politics. Deneen critiques the widening gap between elites and the working class, and explores the dangers of technology and transhumanism. Ultimately, he urges a reevaluation of freedom, emphasizing community responsibilities and the need for virtue in governance.

01:27:43

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INSIGHT

Failure Through Success

Liberalism failed because it succeeded in eliminating pre-liberal restraints, producing radical individual autonomy.
Patrick Deneen argues that this unleashed forces that devastated family, religion, and communal life.

insights

INSIGHT

Bifurcation: Elites Versus Heartland

Liberal progress produced a bifurcated society that benefited elites while hollowing out working communities.
Deneen links cultural decay and economic displacement to elite-friendly liberal policies.

insights

INSIGHT

Wokeness As Elite Shroud

Wokeness and identity politics served elites by substituting cultural divisions for class-based conflicts.
Deneen asserts identity politics masked elite-driven economic inequality.

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The Unintended Consequences of Liberalism's Success

01:46 • 3min

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The Paradox of Liberalism

04:43 • 14min

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Clash of Interests in NYC Politics

19:10 • 7min

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The Shifting Landscape of Political Discourse

26:22 • 2min

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The Interplay of Liberalism and Post-Liberalism

28:34 • 25min

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The Perils of Post-Liberalism and Technology

53:46 • 10min

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Redefining Freedom and Responsibility

01:04:11 • 22min

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#1004

• Mentioned in 24 episodes

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.

#2077

• Mentioned in 14 episodes

Leisure the basis of culture

Josef Pieper

Josef Pieper's "Leisure: The Basis of Culture" is a profound exploration of the nature of leisure and its importance for human flourishing. Pieper argues that leisure, understood as a state of freedom from necessity, is essential for contemplation and the development of culture. He contrasts leisure with mere idleness or entertainment, emphasizing its role in fostering creativity, intellectual growth, and spiritual development. "Leisure" has had a significant impact on philosophical and theological thought. Pieper's work challenges readers to reconsider the value of contemplation and the importance of creating a society that fosters leisure. The book is a classic of philosophical and theological reflection.

#2990

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

Regime Change

Toward a Postliberal Future

Patrick J. Deneen

In 'Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future', Patrick Deneen presents a vision for a postliberal society, critiquing the current liberal order for eroding traditional social structures such as family, religion, and local community. Deneen argues that classical liberalism has created a self-serving elite that benefits at the expense of the working class. He proposes a new elite aligned with the interests of the working class, advocating for a mixed regime that combines elements of aristocracy and democracy. The book builds on his previous work, 'Why Liberalism Failed', and suggests a strategic formation of a new elite devoted to 'pre-postmodern conservatism' and the common good, particularly attentive to the voice and status of the working class.

#39

• Mentioned in 192 episodes

Hillbilly Elegy

A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

JD Vance

In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.

#843

• Mentioned in 28 episodes

Shop class as soulcraft

an inquiry into the value of work

Matthew Crawford

Matthew B. Crawford

In 'Shop Class as Soulcraft,' Matthew B. Crawford argues that the manual trades offer a unique form of intellectual and personal satisfaction. He critiques modern society's emphasis on 'knowledge work' and the devaluation of manual labor, highlighting the cognitive demands and personal fulfillment that come from working with one's hands. Crawford draws on his own experiences as a motorcycle mechanic and philosopher to illustrate the importance of craftsmanship, self-reliance, and the integration of thinking and doing in meaningful work. The book challenges consumerist culture and advocates for a more humane economy that values and rewards meaningful labor.

Notre Dame Professor Patrick Deneen’s book, “Why Liberalism Failed,” was not a project undertaken to explain the Trump phenomenon after President Donald Trump’s surprise victory in the 2016 election. Nevertheless, it quickly entered the panoply of books, with Vice President JD Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” among them, that provided insight into a new era of not only American but Western politics.

The book’s success, even featured on former President Barack Obama’s list of recommended books, ⁠catapulted Deneen⁠ to one of the most prominent academic figures in the West and his ideas to the forefront of America’s most contentious political debates.

Much has happened in the years since “Why Liberalism Failed” was published. Liberalism managed to claw back power, first through undermining Trump’s agenda at almost every turn from within, and then through the empty vessel of former President Joe Biden. Yet, Trump was able to mount a surprising return in 2024 with a new resolve to dismantle the forces of liberalism concentrated in Washington, D.C. Deneen joined ⁠“The Signal Sitdown”⁠ this week to discuss what future lies beyond liberalism.

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