Philip Pilkington, a political economist and journalist, delves into the impending collapse of global liberalism. He argues that the current interpretations of liberalism misrepresent its complex history, rooted in dismantling unjust hierarchies. The discussion highlights systemic failures within the post-World War II order and the paradoxes of liberal thought, including its tensions with Marxism. Pilkington also critically examines hyper-liberalism's rise since the 1990s and explores what may come next in a world increasingly resistant to liberal ideals.
Liberalism's historical roots, established by thinkers like John Locke, challenge arbitrary hierarchies and move beyond mere opposition to extremism.
The complexities of the American and French Revolutions reveal that liberalism's evolution is intertwined with broader ideological narratives rather than purely liberal triumphs.
The decline of contemporary liberalism may usher in a post-liberal society, integrating principles from natural law and acknowledging traditional social structures.
Deep dives
Misconceptions of Liberalism
Contemporary discussions of liberalism often stem from a post-1945 perspective, which tends to define liberalism primarily in relation to its opposition to both far-right and far-left ideologies. This results in a narrow understanding that positions liberalism as a centrist ideology against extremes like communism and fascism. However, true liberal thought, as established by early philosophers such as John Locke, was not formulated in response to these later ideologies, but rather as a challenge to arbitrary hierarchies and monarchical authority. Recognizing this historical context is crucial to understanding the foundational principles of liberalism, which advocate for the leveling of hierarchies, rather than a mere middle ground in modern political discourse.
The Role of Historical Events
Key historical events such as the American and French Revolutions are often cited as purely liberal movements; however, their broader implications reveal a more complex narrative that challenges traditional interpretations. While the American Revolution is frequently viewed as a liberal triumph over monarchy, underlying tensions and motivations paint a more nuanced picture of its ideological roots. The French Revolution, in contrast, is sometimes mischaracterized as a failure of liberalism due to its violent outcomes, yet it fundamentally sought to uproot established hierarchies and implement a new social order based on liberal ideals. Understanding these revolutions within the context of their ideological frameworks allows for a deeper appreciation of liberalism's historical significance and evolution.
Liberalism's Expansionist Tendencies
Liberalism is not just an ideological framework but also an inherently expansionist project that seeks to spread its principles globally. This tendency is visible in both historical context and contemporary movements, which often disregard national boundaries in favor of promoting liberal ideals. The French Revolution exemplifies this impulse, as it aimed not only to alter governance within France but also to inspire similar changes across Europe. Consequently, an understanding of liberalism must factor in its ideological ambition to propagate its values beyond geographical confines, often leading to tension with established non-liberal regimes.
The Interplay Between Liberalism and Marxism
Liberalism and Marxism, often viewed as oppositional forces, share a relationship that underscores significant ideological similarities. Both systems, in their extreme forms, advocate for egalitarianism and challenge hierarchical structures, albeit with different methodologies. Marxism can be seen as an extension of hard liberalism, pushing the agenda for total equality further by abolishing individual self-interest and competition altogether. This convergence in ideology highlights how Marxist thought arose as a response to the limitations and contradictions within liberalism, illustrating a complex interplay rather than a straightforward divergence.
The Future of Liberalism and Illiberalism
The current global landscape suggests that liberalism, particularly in its current form, faces a potential collapse, leaving room for the emergence of illiberal regimes and ideologies. As hard liberalism enters a phase of severe self-critique and societal pushback, a post-liberal system may take shape, potentially integrating aspects of natural law and pre-liberal social structures. This shift might propose a return to recognizing social units like the family without the rigid frameworks of contract theory that liberalism demands. Ultimately, the instability within liberal ideologies signals a significant historical transformation, ushering in the possibility of a societal reorganization grounded in alternative principles.
"There is simply no way to know what comes after liberalism", according to political economist and journalist Philip Pilkington, but he is convinced that "the world system that liberalism created after the Second World War is collapsing". In this episode of Buda Hills Podcast, we discuss some of the most striking claims in Pilkington's next book, The Collapse of Global Liberalism, which is forthcoming with Polity Press.
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