In 'Why Liberalism Failed,' Patrick J. Deneen provocatively argues that the liberal order, far from being a beacon of progress, is fundamentally at odds with the communal values that bind society together. He traces the roots of liberalism's disintegration, revealing how its focus on individualism has led to a crisis of meaning and deeper societal fractures. Deneen challenges readers to reconsider the philosophical foundations of modern governance and the implications for our collective future. With sharp critiques and compelling insights, he prompts a reevaluation of political norms that many take for granted. Can we escape the pitfalls of liberalism and rediscover a more cohesive, meaningful civic life?
By Patrick J. Deneen
Published: 2019
"Liberalism, in its promise of individual freedom, often neglects the deeper, communal bonds that give life meaning and stability."
"One of the most important political books of 2018."—Rod Dreher, American Conservative Of the three dominant ideologies of the twentieth century—fascism, communism, and liberalism—only the last remains. This has created a peculiar situation in which liberalism’s proponents tend to forget that it is an ideology and not the natural end-state of human political evolution. As Patrick Deneen argues in this provocative book, liberalism is built on a foundation of contradictions: it trumpets equal rights while fostering incomparable material inequality; its legitimacy rests on consent, yet it discourages civic commitments in favor of privatism; and in its pursuit of individual autonomy, it has given rise to the most far-reaching, comprehensive state system in human history. Here, Deneen offers an astringent warning that the centripetal forces now at work on our political culture are not superficial flaws but inherent features of a system whose success is generating its own failure.
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“Liberalism, in its promise of individual freedom, often neglects the deeper, communal bonds that give life meaning and stability.”
Why Liberalism Failed
By Patrick J. Deneen
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Patrick J. Deneen is an American political theorist and professor at the University of Notre Dame, where he teaches in the Department of Political Science. He is known for his contributions to the fields of political philosophy and American political thought. Deneen's notable works include 'Democracy in Crisis: How the American Political System Is Failing Us' and 'Why Liberalism Failed,' in which he critiques contemporary liberal democracy and explores the philosophical underpinnings of political theory. His writing style combines rigorous scholarship with accessible prose, making complex ideas understandable for a broader audience.
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