Though I tend to avoid using the term “Liberal” because the term has so many different meanings, I agree with your categories and analysis.
My one disagreement is that I think that you underestimate the extent to which the Center-Left is adopting authoritarian methods, such as censorship and harassing …
Though I tend to avoid using the term “Liberal” because the term has so many different meanings, I agree with your categories and analysis.
My one disagreement is that I think that you underestimate the extent to which the Center-Left is adopting authoritarian methods, such as censorship and harassing the opposition. This is not coming from the Utopian Left, but the Center-Left in North America and Europe. And the practice is decidedly illiberal.
I don't actually disagree that professionals in the center left are driving a lot of the problems. The question is whether this is ideologically their own idea, due to adopting left utopian ideas out of solidarity, or cowardice. I think it's a bit of all of the above. But I also think the solution has to start with knocking the professionals out of their bubble and making them see themselves again as sensible ideological center liberals.
I am actually writing a series of articles on that very topic.
I think that it is rooted in the unachievable goal of Equality which is central to all ideologies of the Left, how the Left makes that goal central to a person’s moral identity, and their unwillingness to confront this fundamental contradiction. This leaves the Center-Left vulnerable to manipulations by Utopians who refuse to compromise with reality.
If the Left focused on achievable goals that actually helped the disadvantaged, they could make a real difference, but that means giving up their claim to a higher morality:
Can't wait to read it! The other part I think is a disagreement over whether people are fundamentally good or disappointing. If you think people are inherently good, you think policies will work that don't work if many people are in fact disappointing.
Excellent analysis. You earned a sub!
Though I tend to avoid using the term “Liberal” because the term has so many different meanings, I agree with your categories and analysis.
My one disagreement is that I think that you underestimate the extent to which the Center-Left is adopting authoritarian methods, such as censorship and harassing the opposition. This is not coming from the Utopian Left, but the Center-Left in North America and Europe. And the practice is decidedly illiberal.
I say more here:
https://frompovertytoprogress.substack.com/p/the-left-has-hit-a-historical-dead
Thanks, Michael!
I don't actually disagree that professionals in the center left are driving a lot of the problems. The question is whether this is ideologically their own idea, due to adopting left utopian ideas out of solidarity, or cowardice. I think it's a bit of all of the above. But I also think the solution has to start with knocking the professionals out of their bubble and making them see themselves again as sensible ideological center liberals.
I am actually writing a series of articles on that very topic.
I think that it is rooted in the unachievable goal of Equality which is central to all ideologies of the Left, how the Left makes that goal central to a person’s moral identity, and their unwillingness to confront this fundamental contradiction. This leaves the Center-Left vulnerable to manipulations by Utopians who refuse to compromise with reality.
If the Left focused on achievable goals that actually helped the disadvantaged, they could make a real difference, but that means giving up their claim to a higher morality:
https://frompovertytoprogress.substack.com/p/why-progress-and-upward-mobility
In other words, it is a lack of Honesty and Moral Courage.
Can't wait to read it! The other part I think is a disagreement over whether people are fundamentally good or disappointing. If you think people are inherently good, you think policies will work that don't work if many people are in fact disappointing.