The Evolution of Liberalism | Guest: Paul Gottfried | 9/25/24
Sep 25, 2024
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Paul Gottfried, author and editor in chief of Chronicles magazine, dives into the radical transformation of liberalism from its classical roots to today's ideology. He discusses the disconnect between modern democracy and traditional liberal values, questioning the impact of mass suffrage on society. The conversation highlights the shift towards a managerial mindset and examines the evolution into 'woke' culture. Gottfried also unpacks the complexities of ideological labels and the dynamics within the GOP, addressing the challenges faced in contemporary conservatism.
Modern liberalism has evolved significantly from its classical roots, leading to a post-liberal framework that complicates current political discussions.
The rise of a managerial class has shifted the focus from popular sovereignty to administrative governance, disrupting traditional liberal values and national identity.
Contemporary wokeness reflects a departure from older leftist ideologies, prioritizing identity politics over economic class struggles within a post-liberal context.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Liberalism
Liberalism is identified as the dominant worldview of the 19th century, emerging from the political and economic rise of the bourgeoisie during the Enlightenment. The speaker argues that modern interpretations often conflate current ideologies with classical liberal thought, which historically included limited suffrage and a focus on national identity. Over time, the features of liberalism have evolved, incorporating aspects of mass democracy and expanding rights, but in doing so, they have become diluted and transformed into a post-liberal framework. This shift highlights that what may be considered liberal today bears little resemblance to its original form, complicating contemporary political discussions.
The Managerial Class and Its Implications
The rise of a managerial class is discussed as a significant development within modern democracies, marked by the delegation of political rights to state administrators. This managerialism is portrayed not as a neutral force but as historically aligned with the politicized left, especially post-civil rights movement, which expanded the role and influence of this class. The speaker emphasizes the need to understand how this managerial approach has contributed to the deterioration of traditional liberal values, leading to the embrace of wokeness and a shift in political dynamics. Furthermore, this administrative governance signifies a departure from popular sovereignty, with implications for individual rights and national identity.
The Shift to Wokeness
Wokeness is presented as a contemporary ideological evolution that stems from a post-liberal context rather than a direct offshoot of Marxism. The speaker argues that the focus of wokeness on cultural issues, identity politics, and equality reflects a major departure from older leftist theories that concentrated on economic class struggles. This evolution indicates that many present-day movements position themselves within a framework that seeks broader societal changes, which are often disconnected from traditional socialist ideals. The conceptual shift from class to identity serves to shape the modern left's agenda, complicating critiques rooted in classical Marxist thought.
The Role of National Identity in Democracy
The speaker emphasizes the importance of national identity within the democratic framework, distinguishing it from the modern concept of mass democracy which lacks a coherent cultural or historical foundation. This disconnect has led to a form of governance that prioritizes universal rights over national particularity, diluting the essence of democracy as originally understood. The discussion hints at a trend toward multiculturalism and the erasure of traditional identities, resulting in a political landscape defined by a managerial state rather than the nation-centered politics of the past. This evolution raises questions about the viability of democratic institutions and their ability to address the unique cultural needs of diverse communities.
Contingency in Historical Developments
Historical trajectories are described as being shaped by contingencies, suggesting that the development of ideological frameworks, including liberalism’s evolution, did not have to occur in a linear fashion. The speaker posits that the transition to a mass democratic, managerial state could have taken different paths had various conditions been met, highlighting the role of historical accidents in shaping political outcomes. Key moments, such as the empowerment of the managerial class during the civil rights movement, are identified as critical junctures that led to the current ideological landscape. The acknowledgment of this contingency invites a reevaluation of political strategies, emphasizing the need for adaptive and innovative responses to the challenges posed by contemporary ideologies.
The classical liberalism that inspired the founding of the United States looks radically different from the ideology that has come to rule the Western world. Is the system we live under now a descendent of liberalism or a radical break from that tradition? Author and editor in chief of Chronicles magazine Paul Gottfried joins me to discuss.
