Francis Fukuyama is the Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and the Director of Stanford's Ford Dorsey Master's in International Policy. He is the author of many books including The End of History and the Last Man, The Origins of Political Order, and most recently, Liberalism and its Discontents. ... Continue Reading →
Patrick Deneen Offers a Powerful Critique of Liberalism
Patrick Deneen is a Professor of Political Science at Notre Dame University. He is the author of Why Liberalism Failed and the forthcoming Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future. Become a Patron! Make a one-time Donation to Democracy Paradox. By my reading of political philosophy every regime in a sense ultimately comes to an... Continue Reading →
Liberal Tolerance
By Justin Kempf Liberal Tolerance Tomorrow's episode features Patrick Deneen. It's part of the three episode arc on liberalism. I invited Patrick, because he makes a powerful case against liberalism. I say powerful, because it is so direct. He does not make equivocations or hesitations. He's willing to say liberalism failed. It's unusual to find... Continue Reading →
The Values of Liberalism
A review of The Struggle for a Decent Politics: On Liberal as an Adjective Review by Justin Kempf The Values of Liberalism In this week's episode of the podcast I talked to Michael Walzer. We talked about his recent book The Struggle for a Decent Politics: On Liberal as an Adjective. In the Preface he explains... Continue Reading →
Michael Walzer on Liberal as an Adjective
Michael Walzer is an emeritus professor at the Institute for Advanced Study. He was also a longtime editor of Dissent. He is the author of many books including the classic of political philosophy Spheres of Justice. His most recent book is called The Struggle for a Decent Politics: On “Liberal” as an Adjective. Become a... Continue Reading →
The Politics of Ambiguity
By Justin Kempf Autocratic Ambiguity The precise line between democracy and autocracy was never entirely clear. Part of the problem was the inability of autocratic government to govern autocratically. Even the most capable autocrats rely on advisors and civil servants to carry out their wills. Moreover, they find it necessary to delegate significant authority to... Continue Reading →
The BJP Goes Too Far
Become a Patron! The BJP's Hindu Nationalism Interferes with India's International Relations The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rose to power through an ideology of Hindu Nationalism. Hinduism is an Ancient religion with deep roots in India, however Hindu Nationalism is a more recent invention. It is a political ideology based on religious identity rather than... Continue Reading →
Abortion Rights is About More than the Right to Choose
Abortion Rights After Roe The debate over abortion was always more than it seemed. Advocates for the right to abortion describe themselves as pro-choice, but many women do not believe they have a choice when they terminate a pregnancy. They suffer emotional trauma from rape or incest. They may lack the resources to provide for... Continue Reading →
The Moderation of Liberalism?
Become a Patron! The sixth and final post on Francis Fukuyama’s recent book Liberalism and its Discontents. The Moderation of Liberalism Francis Fukuyama includes a puzzling line near the beginning of Liberalism and its Discontents. The title suggests an uncompromising defense of liberalism against its critics. However, Fykuyama writes, "The answer to these discontents is... Continue Reading →
The Discontent for Liberalism from the Right
Become a Patron! The fifth of six posts on Francis Fukuyama’s recent book Liberalism and its Discontents. The Discontent for Liberalism from the Right The fiercest attacks against liberalism have always come from conservative intellectuals. Indeed, Americans imagine conservatism as the antithesis of liberalism. But conservatism is not the same as illiberalism. Moreover, conservatism can... Continue Reading →