New Books Network What happens when liberalism stops feeling like a victory and starts feeling like an exhaustion?
Jan 5, 2026
In this intriguing discussion, Alexandre Lefebvre, a Professor of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Sydney, delves into the complexities of liberalism as a lived experience rather than just a political doctrine. He examines the core liberal virtues of freedom and generosity and critiques the challenges posed by rising populism. Lefebvre advocates for John Rawls's principles, exploring how liberalism can navigate between neutrality and perfectionism. He warns of the risks liberalism faces if it fails to engage with its deeper moral commitments.
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Freedom And Generosity At Liberalism's Core
- Liberalism centrally combines freedom and generosity as political principles and character traits.
- Alexandre Lefebvre argues these twin roots explain liberalism's moral and existential appeal.
Rawlsian Fairness Holds Liberal Pluralism Together
- Lefebvre elevates Rawls's fairness idea as the linchpin for a plural liberalism.
- He presents fairness as a society organized as a fair system of cooperation across generations.
Early Rawls As Ethical Way Of Life
- Early Rawls framed liberalism as an ethical way of life, not only a political arrangement.
- Lefebvre reads Rawls as offering moral development and embodied liberal virtues for everyday living.
