The threat from the illiberal left
Don’t underestimate the danger of left-leaning identity politics
SOMETHING HAS gone very wrong with Western liberalism. At its heart classical liberalism believes human progress is brought about by debate and reform. The best way to navigate disruptive change in a divided world is through a universal commitment to individual dignity, open markets and limited government. Yet a resurgent China sneers at liberalism for being selfish, decadent and unstable. At home, populists on the right and left rage at liberalism for its supposed elitism and privilege.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “The threat from the illiberal left”
From the September 4th 2021 edition
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