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First Things Podcast

Liberalism and Civic Virtue

Nov 16, 2024
F. H. Buckley, a professor at George Mason University's Scalia School of Law and author of "The Roots of Liberalism," dives into the foundations of liberalism. He critiques modern movements like critical race theory and emphasizes the need for civic virtue to unite society. Buckley explores how traditional liberalism balances individualism with ethical responsibility, drawing on historical teachings about equality. He also discusses the resilience of liberal ideals in America today, highlighting their role in fostering community amidst division.
26:16

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • F. H. Buckley stresses that nurturing civic virtue and embracing free speech are crucial for conservatives to counter the spread of critical race theory.
  • The discussion underscores that true liberalism involves a balance of individual rights with a moral obligation to care for others in the community.

Deep dives

Critical Race Theory as a Cult of Resentment

Critical race theory (CRT) is framed as a 'cult of resentment' by examining its impact on cultural and ethical discourse. The theory is criticized for abandoning the core principles of liberalism, which emphasize equality and individual rights as foundational to American identity. Buckley argues that both the left and some on the right have distanced themselves from these principles, allowing CRT to thrive at the expense of meaningful dialogue. He asserts that to effectively challenge this ideology, conservatives should embrace the liberal tenets of free speech and civic virtue rather than adopt anti-liberal stances.

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