Postliberalism (also known as Post Neoliberalism) is a political ideology and movement that critiques and opposes classical and social liberalism, particularly as developed in the late 20th and 21st centuries. Proponents argue liberalism's focus on individual rights, free markets, and limited government has eroded social cohesion, community, and traditional moral frameworks, as well as increased income inequality. Political philosophers and historians argue that this critique of liberalism more accurately describes the social fragmentation and economic nationalism endemic to postliberal politics itself. They advocate for a communitarian politics centered on social conservatism, social solidarity, and a stronger state role in shaping culture, often drawing on traditionalist conservative or religious thought.
Critics, including prominent political philosophers, historians, and democratic institutions, argue that postliberalism serves as an intellectual framework for democratic backsliding and illiberalism. They contend its critique of liberal democratic institutions, liberal individualism, and minority protections aligns it with authoritarian and national conservative projects, most notably the self-described "illiberal state" of Viktor Orbán's Hungary. The movement is associated with policies of economic nationalism, localism, and populist criticism of democratic norms.
History
Postliberalism emerged in the United Kingdom from a movement within the Labour Party called Blue Labour. Early British theorists included John Gray, Maurice Glasman, Phillip Blond, Adrian Pabst, John Milbank, and Jon Cruddas.
In the United States, postliberalism gained influence primarily among conservatives critical of fusionism. Figures associated with this perspective include Patrick Deneen, Rod Dreher, and Adrian Vermeule, as well as the Israeli-American philosopher Yoram Hazony.
Ideology
Ideological communitarianism
Postliberalism contends that liberalism, in both its economic and social forms, weakens social and communal bonds that contribute to human well-being. A central idea in postliberal thought is that individuals are shaped by their social and cultural contexts rather than existing as purely autonomous agents. Postliberals argue that the liberal emphases on individual rights and freedoms have diminished the roles of community, family, and tradition in fostering meaning and belonging. They posit that a stable society requires a shared sense of purpose and commitment to the common good, which they claim liberalism has not sufficiently provided.
Postliberals reference social contract theorists such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, as well as figures like John Stuart Mill and John Rawls, to argue that liberalism promotes an individualism that they see as incompatible with human sociability. Patrick Deneen contends that liberalism encourages individuals to approach commitments and relationships with flexibility, treating them as interchangeable and subject to renegotiation, leading to weaker social ties.
Pluralism
Postliberals critique the liberal conception of the state as a neutral mediator, arguing instead that it should actively promote an ideal vision of social well-being grounded in the values and traditions of the community it serves. They promote political opposition to immigration and cultural diversity while advocating for conservative institutions like the nuclear family and religion. Postliberals reject a value-free state, arguing it should actively foster social cohesion and the common good.
Liberal theorists such as John Rawls have framed liberalism as a system in which the state remains neutral on personal values. In contrast, Deneen argues that neutrality is an illusion, asserting that every social order is built on fundamental beliefs and commitments.
Postliberals emphasize a political approach centered on the common good, seeking to balance individual and group rights with social responsibilities. Some critique economic liberalism, advocating for greater regulation and social embeddedness, while others emphasize the role of cultural traditions and national identity in maintaining social cohesion.
Free market
Postliberal critics of economic liberalism argue that economic liberalism has contributed to the concentration of wealth and power among a small segment of society, leading to economic stratification between elites and the working class. They advocate for market intervention by the state, including protectionist policies and measures aimed at reducing economic inequality, protecting labor rights, and community development.
John Gray has argued that free markets and globalization have weakened the foundations of modern market economies. Similarly, Patrick Deneen contends that liberalism leads to a cycle of state expansion to manage social fragmentation, requiring legal and administrative mechanisms to replace communal institutions such as schools, healthcare, and charitable organizations, ultimately diminishing a shared sense of community and collective identity.
Critics from the political left oppose the socially reactionary positions of postliberalism. Socialist historian Chris Wright asserts that the political right primarily serves the interests of the ruling class, capitalism, and businesses rather than the common good. He contends that "because of its alleged interest in the public good but its conservative (Republican) orientation, postliberalism is ultimately incoherent". Similarly, socialist critic J. J. Porter argues that postliberalism undermines its own foundations, stating that "it wants to preserve many of the fruits of liberalism while doing away with the structure from which they grow".
Critics from the free-market right argue that postliberalism's support for economic planning, regulation, and skepticism toward free markets could damage economic growth. Other conservative critics maintain that postliberalism underestimates the significance of individual freedom and the economic advantages of market capitalism. Zachary Chambers has written, "Ultimately, the post-liberal vision of politics simply cannot be reconciled to the higher-level logical form of liberty that defines the American political tradition."
Relation to other ideologies
Elements of postliberal political thought have been integral to the development of national conservatism and the ideology of various factions within the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom. Some scholars have noted the impact of Christopher Lasch on postliberal thought.
Impact on politics
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his political party, Fidesz, have been described as postliberal and national conservative. In a speech on September 14, 2023, Orbán stated: "The postliberal era we look forward to, which will replace the current progressive-liberal era, will not come automatically. Someone has to make it happen. And who will make it happen, if not us?"
In the United Kingdom, members of the New Conservatives faction of the Conservative Party, including Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, have either identified with postliberalism or been associated with it. The Blue Labour tradition has included figures such as Jon Cruddas and Maurice Glasman. Writers Adrian Pabst and Sebastian Milbank have suggested that Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has shown some interest in policies associated with Blue Labour.
In the United States, several Republican politicians have been linked to postliberal and national conservative ideas, including Vice President JD Vance, Senator Josh Hawley, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Prominent figures
Writers
- John Gray
See also
- Common good constitutionalism
- Integralism
- Neo-nationalism
- Syncretic politics