New Books Network Matt Sleat, "Post-Liberalism" (Polity, 2025)
Dec 12, 2025
Guest Matt Sleat, a Reader in Political Theory at the University of Sheffield, dives into the concept of post-liberalism. He discusses its rejection of traditional liberal values, favoring the common good over individual rights. Notable figures like Patrick Deneen and Adrian Vermeule are examined, showcasing their contrasting ideas. Sleat raises concerns about the viability of post-liberal governance and the challenges it poses in a pluralistic society. He predicts that while post-liberalism may not dominate elections, it will influence the political landscape toward state activism.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Common Good Trumps Individual Freedom
- Post-liberals prioritize the common good over individual freedom and reject liberalism wholesale.
- That leads them to endorse perfectionist, confessional, statist, and elitist politics aimed at guiding citizens toward a single vision of flourishing.
Deneen vs. Vermeule: Rhetoric And Reach
- Patrick Deneen and Adrian Vermeule share rhetoric but pursue different ends: Deneen favors social conservatism plus state intervention while Vermeule endorses integralism.
- Vermeule aims to subordinate the state to a preferred religion, whereas Deneen stops short of abolishing pluralism.
Power, Persuasion, And Coercion
- Vermeule accepts coercion as necessary to reshape society and thinks power can re-educate people toward post-liberal values.
- Deneen, by contrast, claims people already hold post-liberal values and downplays the need for force.
