Conserving Liberalism | Interview: Cass Sunstein

In *The Lost History of Liberalism*, Helena Rosenblatt offers a comprehensive 'word history' of liberalism, examining how the term has been used and understood across centuries. The book delves into the moral core of liberalism, highlighting its engagement with various political and social movements, and challenges common assumptions about its meaning. Rosenblatt emphasizes the importance of understanding liberalism's historical context, particularly its roots in French and German thought, to reconnect with its lost traditions.

In 'Demosclerosis', Jonathan Rauch diagnoses the problem of 'demosclerosis' as government's progressive loss of the ability to adapt. He argues that this condition is a result of the postwar style of politics that emphasizes interest-group activism and redistributive programs. Drawing on the work of economist Mancur Olson, Rauch explains how the rise of numerous and powerful interest groups leads to a rigidification of the economy and a paralysis of government's ability to solve new problems or adapt to socioeconomic changes. He proposes several strategies to manage this issue, including decentralization, deregulation, and cutting subsidies. Rauch emphasizes that demosclerosis is a systemic disorder that can be managed but not cured.

In 'Suicide of the West,' Jonah Goldberg argues that the principles of liberal democracy and capitalism, which he terms 'the Miracle,' are under threat from various forms of illiberalism. He contends that the West's prosperity and political stability are not inevitable but rather the result of unique historical and philosophical developments. Goldberg warns that complacency and the erosion of these principles due to partisanship, polarization, and identity politics could lead to democratic decline. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude for the achievements of Western civilization and the need to rediscover and uphold its founding ideals to prevent its downfall.