New Books in Critical Theory Timothy Stacey, "Saving Liberalism from Itself: The Spirit of Political Participation" (Bristol UP, 2022)
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Jul 2, 2025 Timothy Stacey, a researcher at Utrecht University, discusses his book on revitalizing liberalism amid rising populism. He critiques the liberal project’s failures and calls for active political engagement. Stacey argues that embracing myth, ritual, and community can bridge the gap between liberal ideals and real-world experiences. He showcases organizations like the Metro Vancouver Alliance, emphasizing how storytelling and solidarity can counter societal polarization. The conversation also explores the reinterpretation of tradition to foster unity in a divisive era.
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Ethnographic Study of Activists
- Timothy Stacey’s research involved ethnographic work with community organizers in London and Vancouver. - He observed secular liberal activists embracing rituals, myths, and magic to foster solidarity.
Liberalism's Core and Crisis
- Liberalism’s core is equal dignity for all despite background or beliefs. - This principle often fails politically as rational neutrality ignores emotional solidarity factors.
Faith Blocks Political Imagination
- The belief in an objective human condition blocks political imagination. - Recognizing politics as an act of faith allows envisioning alternative economic and political systems.
