Why Liberalism Failed
Before delving into Why Liberalism Failed[1] by Patrick Deneen, I held a range of deep convictions about liberalism and its societal impact. These convictions were shaped by multiple influences: some rooted in deeply held biblical principles, others shaped by the Pentecostal Church heritage in which I was raised. Additionally, two decades of reading on leadership further informed my perspective, alongside first-hand experiences that were filtered and interpreted through the aforementioned lenses.
While never being a wholesale fan of Liberalism, I viewed liberalism as a framework that had played a crucial role in securing individual freedoms and fostering economic prosperity, with its challenges stemming from poor implementation rather than inherent flaws. I believed that Judeo-Christian values were partially compatible with liberal democracy, providing a moral foundation for many freedoms, and saw the marginalization of the church in Western society as primarily driven by secularism and post-modernist ideologies rather than liberalism itself. However, I grew uneasy about liberal governments’ increasing tendency toward overreach, particularly in areas like social media regulation, [2] smoking bans, [3] and the policing of so-called “thought crimes.” [4]
Affirmation and Challenge Through Reading.
Patrick Deneen’s critique of liberalism provided great insight to be able to evaluate these convictions. The reading confirmed some beliefs while challenging others in unexpected ways.
Affirmation: Liberalism’s Success Is Its Greatest Failing
Deneen’s central argument, that liberalism’s success in achieving autonomy has undermined its foundational structures,[5] resonated deeply with my prior beliefs. His analysis of liberalism’s trajectory affirmed my conviction that unchecked individualism erodes community values, including the Judeo-Christian ethical framework.
Deneen articulated something I had long suspected: liberalism’s emphasis on autonomy creates a paradox. As individuals are “liberated” from traditional associations (e.g., family, church, and community), they become more reliant on the state. [6] This mirrors my concern that secularism has displaced the church, not just as a cultural institution but as a moral compass. The gradual dismantling of boundaries, described as a core liberal tenet, aligns with my observation of society’s drift toward moral relativism.
Daneen says, “Ironically, the more completely the sphere of autonomy is secured, the more comprehensive the state must become. Liberty, so defined, requires liberation from all forms of associations and relationships, from family to church, from schools to village and community, that exerted control over behaviour through informal and habituated expectations and norms.”[7] He further adds, “With the liberation of individuals from these associations, there is more need to regulate behaviour through the imposition of positive law. At the same time, as the authority of social norms dissipates, they are increasingly felt to be residual, arbitrary, and oppressive, motivating calls for the state to actively work toward their eradication.”[8] This reinforced my belief that liberalism’s pursuit of freedom often leads to an authoritarian backlash.
Challenge: Liberalism as the Source of the Church’s Marginalisation
One of Deneen’s most provocative claims challenged my prior conviction that secularism, not liberalism, was primarily responsible for the church’s decline in Western societies. Deneen argues that liberalism, by its very nature, is antithetical to the church because it rejects any authority or boundary perceived as limiting personal freedom.
I had assumed that liberalism and Christianity could coexist, as liberal principles (e.g., freedom of conscience and limited government) seemed to align with Christian values. However, Deneen’s critique suggests that liberalism’s philosophical foundation inherently opposes the church’s claim to moral and spiritual authority. This forced me to reconsider whether my optimism about reconciling liberalism with Christian ethics was misplaced.
Key Insight: Liberalism’s “abhorrence of forms,”[9] as Deneen describes it, extends beyond national borders to include historical and religious boundaries. This suggests that the church’s marginalisation is not an incidental byproduct but an inevitable outcome of liberal philosophy.
To engage more deeply with the affirming and challenging aspects of Deneen’s work, I revisited the following two sections syntopically:
- Affirming Idea: Liberalism’s Self-Destructive Success
Deneen’s exploration of how liberalism’s success undermines its foundations resonated with Alexis de Tocqueville’s observations of American society in the 1820s. Tocqueville admired the communal spirit of Americans, who solved problems locally rather than deferring to centralised power. [10] This communal vitality, however, has eroded under the weight of liberalism’s individualistic ethos.
Comparing Deneen’s critique with Tocqueville’s insights deepened my understanding of how liberalism fosters dependency on state control as communal bonds dissolve.
- Challenging Idea: Liberalism’s Antagonism Toward the Church
Deneen’s assertion that liberalism inherently opposes the church’s authority led me to explore historical examples where liberal principles coexisted with Christian values. Thinkers like John Locke[11] and Edmund Burke[12] who championed liberal ideals, also acknowledged the importance of religion in upholding moral order. Yet, Deneen argues that modern liberalism has evolved beyond these roots, becoming a force that actively seeks to dismantle religious influence.
Synthesising Deneen’s argument with critiques from Jonah Goldberg[13] and Daniel Mahoney[14] provided a more balanced perspective. While Deneen convincingly highlights liberalism’s flaws, Goldberg’s point about liberalism’s adaptability reminded me that it is not a monolith and can potentially align with Christian virtues under proper guidance.
Conclusion: How My Beliefs Have Evolved
Through Deneen’s Why Liberalism Failed, my understanding of liberalism has been both affirmed and refined:
Affirmation: I now have a greater appreciation for how liberalism’s relentless pursuit of autonomy leads to its own undoing. This affirms my belief that community and tradition are essential for a thriving society, especially within a Judeo-Christian framework.
Challenge: My belief in the compatibility of liberalism and Christianity has been confronted. Deneen’s argument that liberalism’s foundational principles are inherently antagonistic toward the church has forced me to reconsider whether liberalism, even in its best form, can sustain the moral and spiritual values the church upholds.
Ultimately, Deneen’s critique underscores the need for a renewed emphasis on community, tradition, and moral accountability. While liberalism may have delivered significant freedoms, its unchecked success demands a re-evaluation of its role in shaping the future. For those of us committed to the church’s mission, the challenge is clear: we must navigate the tensions between autonomy and accountability, freedom and faith, to offer a countercultural vision rooted in biblical truth.
[1] Deneen, Patrick J. 2019. Why Liberalism Failed: Politics and Culture Series. Reprint edition. New Haven ; London: Yale University Press.
[2] “Australia approves social media ban on under-16s.” BBC News. Accessed December 2, December 2024. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89vjj0lxx9o
[3] “Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping: What You Need to Know.” Department of Health and Social Care Media Centre, April 15, 2024. https://healthmedia.blog.gov.uk/2024/04/15/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping-what-you-need-to-know/.
[4] “Man Convicted for Silently Praying for Unborn Son Condemns the Verdict as ‘Criminalised Thought’.” CARE, October 17, 2024. Accessed December 2, 2024. https://care.org.uk/news/2024/10/man-convicted-for-silently-praying-for-unborn-son-condenms-the-verdict-as-criminalised-thought.
[5] Deneen. 3 and 173.
[6] Ibid, 38.
[7] Ibid, 38.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid, Xix.
[10] Ibid, 195.
[11] John Locke, A Letter Concerning Toleration, accessed 12th December 2024 https://polsci.institute/classical-political-philosophy/boundaries-religious-toleration-john-locke/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
[12] John Attarian, “Edmund Burke: Champion of Ordered Liberty,” The Imaginative Conservative, October 2017, accessed 12th December 2024, https://theimaginativeconservative.org/2017/10/edmund-burke-champion-ordered-liberty-john-attarian.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
[13] Newsweek Staff. “Has Liberalism Failed? Patrick Deneen Debates Jonah Goldberg.” Newsweek, July 8, 2020. https://www.newsweek.com/has-liberalism-failed-patrick-deneen-debates-jonah-goldberg-opinion-1516327.
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[14] R. R. Reno, “Unsustainable Liberalism,” First Things, August 2012, https://www.firstthings.com/article/2012/08/unsustainable-liberalism.
About the Author
Glyn Barrett
I am the founding, Lead Pastor of !Audacious Church in Manchester, England. I was born in Manchester, but moved to Australia at the age of two. My wife and I were married in Australia and began married and ministry life in England 28 years ago. After serving as youth pastors for 12 years, we moved to Manchester to pioneer !Audacious Church. As a church we now have 7 locations. 3 in Manchester, Chester, Cardiff (Wales), Sheffield, and Geneva (Switzerland). In 2019 I became the National Leader of Assemblies of God in Great Britain. We have over 600 churches in our movement and have planted 88 new churches since May 2022 with a goal of planting 400 new churches between May 2022 and May 2028. I am the European Lead for MM33, which is the church planting ministry for Assemblies of God Global and also chair Empowered21 Europe. I'm happily married to Sophia, with two children, one dog and two motorbikes. I love Golf, coffee and spending time with friends. I love to laugh, make friends and create memories!9 responses to “Why Liberalism Failed”
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Hi Glyn, thank you for this post, and welcome back to another semester! Like you, I have often tried to reconcile Judeo-Christian values with liberal democracy. I am still navigating this. As a pastor working closely with congregants and fellow pastors, what are the most significant tensions they face when trying to reconcile liberalism and Judeo-Christian values?
Thanks Elysse. The most significant tensions include the conflict between liberalism’s emphasis on individual autonomy and the Judeo-Christian focus on community, tradition, and moral accountability. Many pastors and congregants struggle with how liberalism’s rejection of authority, including religious authority, undermines the church’s role as a moral compass and its communal framework.
Glyn,
Hope your time in Australia was nice.
It is interesting how the US, a liberal democracy was built upon Christian influences, yet Deneen suggests they cannot coexist.
As we examine the individualism and autonomy found in liberal democracy what is one thing the church might be able to do to counter individualism and autonomy that people seem to love having?
Hey Jeff. The church can counter individualism and autonomy by cultivating strong, intentional communities emphasising shared values and mutual accountability. By creating spaces where people feel a sense of belonging and responsibility to others, the church can offer an alternative to the isolation often resulting from extreme individualism.
Hi Glyn, Do you think it is possible to capitalize on the ideal liberal democracy being a government that is concerned for the welfare of the citizens? It is one of those areas where it at least brushes Christianity.
Hi Diane. Yes, I think it is possible to leverage the liberal ideal of a government concerned for the welfare of its citizens. The church can align with this ideal by advocating for and modeling care for the vulnerable, promoting justice, and demonstrating how Christian values can inspire societal welfare initiatives that benefit all.
Hi Glyn, Thanks for your thoughts. I appreciate your comment about community and tradition being essential for a thriving society. In our individualistic societies, what are ways the Church can model this practically?
Hi Kari, The church can practically model community and tradition by fostering intergenerational relationships, prioritising communal worship, organising service initiatives that connect people, and celebrating shared rituals that emphasise collective identity and purpose. This demonstrates the strength of interconnected lives rooted in shared faith and traditions.
Hi Glyn,
Thank you for this post. I often think about the potential for a church to transform a community. You mentioned service initiatives that connect people. In what ways to you see pervasive individuality stemming from liberalism hindering congregant’s willingness to ‘go deep’ and how can church leaders overcome any reluctance?