The Attempted Life of the Liberal World Order
Is liberalism dead? Or is it finally coming to life?
Ding, dong, liberalism is dead. Haven’t you heard? Conservatives are saying it. Leftists are saying it. Even the lyin’ New York Times is saying it. When Foreign Policy, a magazine whose entire existence is defined by the liberal world order, is saying it, twice, you know things aren’t looking good for the libs.
When we talk about the death of liberalism, it’s important to be clear about what, exactly, is dying here and why. Is it liberalism the political philosophy, or liberalism the contemporary American political movement? Is it the liberal world order that has dominated international relations since the end of World War II, or is it American liberal institutions like democracy and the rule of law?
To define our terms, liberalism is a political philosophy that values maximizing individual freedom, equality before the law, the right to own private property, and freedoms of speech and religion. Modern American liberalism is a political movement that favors social justice, civil rights and a robust social safety net, but maintains classical liberalism’s emphasis on individual freedom and private property.
Liberal institutions, which include the institutions that make up the liberal world order, refers to…
