{"id":39890,"date":"2025-01-13T08:00:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T16:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=39890"},"modified":"2025-01-27T07:47:14","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T15:47:14","slug":"why-liberalism-failed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/why-liberalism-failed\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Liberalism Failed"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Before delving into Why Liberalism Failed<\/em>[1]<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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 marginalisation 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]<\/a> smoking bans, [3]<\/a> and the policing of so-called “thought crimes.” [4]<\/a><\/p>\n

Affirmation and Challenge Through Reading.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Affirmation: Liberalism’s Success Is Its Greatest Failing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deneen’s central argument, that liberalism’s success in achieving autonomy has undermined its foundational structures,[5]<\/a> resonated deeply with my prior beliefs. His analysis of liberalism\u2019s trajectory affirmed my conviction that unchecked individualism erodes community values, including the Judeo-Christian ethical framework.<\/p>\n

Deneen articulated something I had long suspected: liberalism\u2019s 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]<\/a> 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\u2019s drift toward moral relativism.<\/p>\n

Daneen says, \u201cIronically, 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.\u201d[7]<\/a> He further adds, \u201cWith 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.\u201d[8]<\/a> This reinforced my belief that liberalism\u2019s pursuit of freedom often leads to an authoritarian backlash.<\/p>\n

Challenge: Liberalism as the Source of the Church\u2019s Marginalisation<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of Deneen\u2019s most provocative claims challenged my prior conviction that secularism, not liberalism, was primarily responsible for the church\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s critique suggests that liberalism\u2019s philosophical foundation inherently opposes the church\u2019s claim to moral and spiritual authority. This forced me to reconsider whether my optimism about reconciling liberalism with Christian ethics was misplaced.<\/p>\n

Key Insight:<\/strong> Liberalism\u2019s “abhorrence of forms,”[9]<\/a> as Deneen describes it, extends beyond national borders to include historical and religious boundaries. This suggests that the church\u2019s marginalisation is not an incidental byproduct but an inevitable outcome of liberal philosophy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To engage more deeply with the affirming and challenging aspects of Deneen\u2019s work, I revisited the following two sections syntopically:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Affirming Idea: Liberalism\u2019s Self-Destructive Success<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Deneen\u2019s exploration of how liberalism\u2019s success undermines its foundations resonated with Alexis de Tocqueville\u2019s 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]<\/a> This communal vitality, however, has eroded under the weight of liberalism\u2019s individualistic ethos.<\/p>\n

    Comparing Deneen\u2019s critique with Tocqueville\u2019s insights deepened my understanding of how liberalism fosters dependency on state control as communal bonds dissolve.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Challenging Idea: Liberalism\u2019s Antagonism Toward the Church<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Deneen\u2019s assertion that liberalism inherently opposes the church\u2019s authority led me to explore historical examples where liberal principles coexisted with Christian values. Thinkers like John Locke[11]<\/a> and Edmund Burke[12]<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

      Synthesising Deneen\u2019s argument with critiques from Jonah Goldberg[13]<\/a> and Daniel Mahoney[14]<\/a> provided a more balanced perspective. While Deneen convincingly highlights liberalism\u2019s flaws, Goldberg\u2019s point about liberalism\u2019s adaptability reminded me that it is not a monolith and can potentially align with Christian virtues under proper guidance.<\/p>\n

      Conclusion: How My Beliefs Have Evolved<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Through Deneen\u2019s Why Liberalism Failed<\/em>, my understanding of liberalism has been both affirmed and refined:<\/p>\n

      Affirmation:<\/strong> I now have a greater appreciation for how liberalism\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

      Challenge:<\/strong> My belief in the compatibility of liberalism and Christianity has been confronted. Deneen\u2019s argument that liberalism\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

      Ultimately, Deneen\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

      [1]<\/a> Deneen, Patrick J. 2019. Why Liberalism Failed: Politics and Culture Series<\/em>. Reprint edition. New Haven\u202f; London: Yale University Press.<\/p>\n

      [2]<\/a> \u201cAustralia approves social media ban on under-16s.\u201d BBC News<\/em>. Accessed December 2, December 2024. https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c89vjj0lxx9o<\/p>\n

      [3]<\/a> “Creating a Smokefree Generation and Tackling Youth Vaping: What You Need to Know.” Department of Health and Social Care Media Centre<\/em>, April 15, 2024. https:\/\/healthmedia.blog.gov.uk\/2024\/04\/15\/creating-a-smokefree-generation-and-tackling-youth-vaping-what-you-need-to-know\/.<\/p>\n

      [4]<\/a> “Man Convicted for Silently Praying for Unborn Son Condemns the Verdict as ‘Criminalised Thought’.” CARE<\/em>, 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.<\/p>\n

      [5]<\/a> Deneen. 3 and 173.<\/p>\n

      [6]<\/a> Ibid, 38.<\/p>\n

      [7]<\/a> Ibid, 38.<\/p>\n

      [8]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

      [9]<\/a> Ibid, Xix.<\/p>\n

      [10]<\/a> Ibid, 195.<\/p>\n

      [11]<\/a> John Locke, A Letter Concerning Toleration<\/em>, accessed 12th<\/sup> December 2024 https:\/\/polsci.institute\/classical-political-philosophy\/boundaries-religious-toleration-john-locke\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.<\/p>\n

      [12]<\/a> John Attarian, “Edmund Burke: Champion of Ordered Liberty,” The Imaginative Conservative<\/em>, October 2017, accessed 12th<\/sup> December 2024, https:\/\/theimaginativeconservative.org\/2017\/10\/edmund-burke-champion-ordered-liberty-john-attarian.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com.<\/p>\n

      [13]<\/a> Newsweek Staff. “Has Liberalism Failed? Patrick Deneen Debates Jonah Goldberg.” Newsweek<\/em>, July 8, 2020. https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/has-liberalism-failed-patrick-deneen-debates-jonah-goldberg-opinion-1516327.<\/p>\n

      [14]<\/a> R. R. Reno, “Unsustainable Liberalism,” First Things<\/em>, August 2012, https:\/\/www.firstthings.com\/article\/2012\/08\/unsustainable-liberalism.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":191,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3393,2712,2967],"class_list":["post-39890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-liberalism","tag-deneen","tag-dlgp03","cohort-dlgp03"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/191"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39890"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39890\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40243,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39890\/revisions\/40243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}