New Books in Critical Theory Russell Blackford, "How We Became Post-Liberal: The Rise and Fall of Toleration" (Bloomsbury, 2023)
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Apr 25, 2025 
Russell Blackford, a philosopher and legal scholar from Australia, discusses his book on the decline of liberalism and toleration. He examines how liberal values are often misused or dismissed in today’s political landscape. Blackford traces liberalism’s historical roots, including its ties to Christianity, and analyzes contemporary challenges like the balance between free speech and respect for religious beliefs. He highlights key events, such as the Charlie Hebdo attack, to illustrate the urgent need for open discourse amidst rising authoritarianism and polarization.
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Core Liberalism Principles
- Liberalism is a political tradition emphasizing toleration, individual liberty, meliorism, and social pluralism.
- It supports freedom of speech, rule of law, and the importance of individuals being creative and spontaneous.
Christianity and Intolerance
- Christian doctrine's emphasis on sin and salvation led to religious intolerance.
- Overcoming this was essential for the development of religious tolerance, a prerequisite for liberalism.
Tension Between Islam and Liberalism
- Political Islam seeks control over the state by Islamic doctrine, posing tensions with liberalism.
- While most Muslims just want normal lives, elements of political Islam resist liberal democratic values.