Liberalism is currently facing significant challenges, not just within America’s Democratic Party but also on a global scale. The principles of political liberalism, including limited government, personal freedom, and the rule of law, are perceived to be in jeopardy worldwide.
In order to understand why liberals find themselves repeatedly in this predicament, we must revisit the Cold War era. It was during this time that liberals redefined their ideology, which has its origins in the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. Unfortunately, their reinterpretation had negative consequences. Cold War liberalism focused primarily on preserving liberal government and addressing potential disruptions, much like the concerns of present-day liberals. To break free from this perpetual state of crisis, liberals must rectify the errors of the Cold War and rediscover the progressive potential of their creed.
Before the Cold War, President Franklin Roosevelt recognized the need to redefine liberalism in response to the Great Depression. He emphasized the connection between economic turmoil and the appeal of tyranny. Over the past century, liberalism had strived to liberate humanity from centuries of hierarchical structures, promoting economic and social mobility, and breaking down religious and traditional barriers. Although these achievements were marred by racial disparities, liberalism aimed to help people overcome oppression for the sake of a better future.
However, during the Cold War, liberal thinking shifted. Witnessing the fall of Germany’s interwar democracy and the transformation of their Communist ally into a perceived enemy, liberals altered their perspective. The concept of individual liberty, defined as the absence of interference, gained prominence. The belief that freedom is upheld by empowering institutions faded away. Instead, liberals became fixated on combatting mortal enemies that could potentially undermine their system. This fear-based liberalism, as described by Harvard professor Judith Shklar, had its consequences.
Relying on fear led to the loss of the very freedom that liberals were meant to protect, both domestically and abroad. It resulted in supporting authoritarian regimes and engaging in violent conflicts in the name of fighting Communism. Shockingly, millions lost their lives during this brutal global conflict, often at the hands of America and its proxies fighting for “freedom.”
Complicating matters further, the Soviet Union made promises of freedom and progress that echoed the ideals once associated with liberalism. In the 19th century, liberals had overthrown aristocratic rulers, promising a world of equality and freedom. Figures like Alexis de Tocqueville envisioned democracy as a political system that offered equal opportunities for all citizens. While these liberals placed excessive faith in markets as tools for emancipation and equalization, they eventually recognized their error. They even contributed to the development of socialism, showing their willingness to adapt and correct their mistakes.
The impact of the Cold War’s transformation of liberalism continues to reverberate today. If liberals had seized the opportunity to reassess their creed after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the consequences of their past errors might not be as profound. Unfortunately, liberals did not seize this chance. Instead, they doubled down on their existing beliefs. Decades of endless wars and the increasing influence of a “free” market economy resulted in unexpected blowback for American liberals. History did not come to an end, and even liberalism’s beneficiaries now find it lacking in many respects.
The 2016 election, marked by Donald Trump’s victory, triggered a significant referendum on liberalism. Books like Patrick Deneen’s “Why Liberalism Failed” evaluated the entire modern age of liberalism, tracing its roots back centuries. In response, liberals resorted to abstract concepts like “freedom,” “democracy,” and “truth,” positioning them as the only alternatives to tyranny. However, this approach only served to distract from their own mistakes and the necessary corrections they ought to make. Liberalism cannot be a rigid ideology; it must be open to transformation, just as it was during the Cold War.
Although President Biden has been hailed as a new incarnation of Franklin Roosevelt, his agenda and rhetoric fail to capture the essence of reimagining liberalism. To truly resonate with voters and regain their trust, liberalism must return to its roots of hope and experimentation. Liberalism should not center around fear of enemies, but rather faith in institutions that facilitate new possibilities and choices for individuals. If liberals fail to revitalize their philosophy, the challenges they face will persist, regardless of who holds power in Washington.
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