Compelling. The 1950s were “exceptional” for the additional reason of Ike’s sagacious leadership; advances in civil rights at home and restraint (mostly) abroad. We ignored Ike’s warnings about the military-industrial complex to our peril.
The hollowness of liberalism has always appeared to me quite self evident. Perhaps for this reason, I first read Fukuyama's The End of History and The Last Man as a critique of liberalism! I thought he was mocking his subject, Straussian-fashion, showing that it had no soul.
Dr Deneen, have you read “The Unintended Reformation” by Brad Gregory (also at Notre Dame)? From the parts I’ve read, it seems his conclusions easily map onto the points you made in response #1.
Whatever one's persuasions, Patrick Deneen is riveting: at once "deep" and easy to read.
Compelling. The 1950s were “exceptional” for the additional reason of Ike’s sagacious leadership; advances in civil rights at home and restraint (mostly) abroad. We ignored Ike’s warnings about the military-industrial complex to our peril.
The hollowness of liberalism has always appeared to me quite self evident. Perhaps for this reason, I first read Fukuyama's The End of History and The Last Man as a critique of liberalism! I thought he was mocking his subject, Straussian-fashion, showing that it had no soul.
What superb thoughts! And what clarity! Thank you so much. I feel like saying "At long last!"
Dr. Deneen,
Absolutely superb dismantling of the Liberal fantasy!
This is the heart of the argument in one of the first and best things I ever read about post-liberalism: "The Illiberal Arts" by P. Kishore Saval. https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2019/02/the-illiberal-arts
Dr Deneen, have you read “The Unintended Reformation” by Brad Gregory (also at Notre Dame)? From the parts I’ve read, it seems his conclusions easily map onto the points you made in response #1.