Inaugural Neuhaus Lecture: We Are All Postliberals Now (Presented by: Patrick Deneen)

Introduction to the Socratic Stage at New College

Overview of Upcoming Events

• The President of New College announces the launch of the spring lineup featuring several renowned speakers, with events open to the public.

• Acknowledgment of foundation members, faculty, and trustees present at the event, highlighting community support.

Introduction of Keynote Speaker

• Tonight's event is a partnership with First Things, featuring a distinguished professor whose work is recognized by former President Barack Obama.

• Mark Bauerlein, trustee and editor of First Things, will moderate and introduce Professor Deneen.

Background on Patrick Deneen

Academic Credentials

• Patrick Deneen holds degrees from Rutgers and University of Chicago; he has taught at Princeton and Georgetown before joining Notre Dame in 2012.

• His notable works include "Why Liberalism Failed," which challenges conventional liberal thought.

Impact on Political Discourse

• Deneen's analysis has shifted discussions about liberalism beyond conservative circles, prompting reflection among liberal thinkers as well.

The Nature of Liberalism's Challenges

Examination of Liberal Premises

• Deneen questions whether current societal issues are distortions or inevitable outcomes stemming from liberal principles like individual rights and autonomy.

Historical Context

• He draws parallels between contemporary liberalism's crisis and past intellectual crises faced by left-wing thinkers during socialism’s evolution into authoritarian regimes.

Post-Liberal Era Discussion

Declaring a Post-Liberal World

• Deneen asserts that we are now living in a post-liberal era marked by significant political shifts since 1989.

Signs of Change

• He critiques Francis Fukuyama’s notion that history had ended with liberalism’s triumph, suggesting it was merely a pause before renewed historical movements began.

Rejections within Post-Liberal Politics

Policy Changes Reflecting New Realities

• The rejection of open borders signifies a shift towards recognizing national identities over abstract universal rights.

Economic Shifts Under Trump

• Trump's platform emphasized rebuilding manufacturing through state intervention, challenging neoliberal economic orthodoxy prevalent since the '90s.

Critique of American-led International Order

Reevaluation of Global Policies

• Trump's victory represents a broader skepticism towards an American-led liberal international order perceived as self-serving for elites rather than beneficial for all citizens.

Philosophical Foundations: Leo Strauss' Influence

Three Waves of Modernity

• Deneen references Leo Strauss’ essay discussing three ideological waves shaping modern political philosophy: natural rights (liberalism), historicism (communism), and will to power (fascism).

Implications for Current Thought

• Each wave builds upon its predecessor while also rejecting aspects thereof; understanding these connections can illuminate contemporary political dynamics.

Understanding the Waves of Modernity and Their Implications

The Concept of Waves in Modernity

• The speaker emphasizes that the phenomenon of modernity cannot be strictly separated into distinct waves, despite historical interpretations suggesting otherwise.

• Fukuyama's interpretation is critiqued for implying that each wave of modernity operates independently, ignoring their interconnectedness and shared philosophical roots.

• Strauss’s metaphor of waves suggests that liberalism gives rise to its successors, which are influenced by prior philosophical ideas rather than being entirely separate entities.

Progressivism as a Successor Wave

• The second wave following classical liberalism is identified as progressivism, which has faced scrutiny under recent political administrations.

• Classical liberals often attribute negative aspects of progressivism to "cultural Marxism," attempting to distance it from traditional liberal values.

• Prominent conservative thinkers have linked cultural Marxism to contemporary leftist movements like identity politics and wokeness, suggesting a return to first-wave liberal principles could restore order.

Illiberal Practices in Contemporary Liberalism

• Critics argue that contemporary progressivism has deviated from core liberal principles, leading to practices deemed illiberal such as speech suppression on campuses.

• Examples include speech codes and cancel culture, where dissenting voices face institutional backlash for expressing unpopular opinions.

• A notable incident at Middlebury College exemplifies this trend when a speaker was violently silenced by protestors.

Ideological Echo Chambers

• Many elite institutions are described as ideological echo chambers dominated by progressive thought, rejecting opposing viewpoints outright.

• John Stuart Mill's advocacy for viewpoint diversity has been largely ignored in favor of a monoculture prevalent across various societal sectors including academia and media.

Herbert Marcuse's Influence on Cultural Marxism

• Marcuse is identified as a key figure whose ideas have shaped contemporary progressive thought; his work critiques traditional notions of tolerance.

• His essay "Repressive Tolerance" argues that toleration can empower oppressive views if not actively challenged by progressive ideals.

Reinterpreting Toleration

• Marcuse posits that while toleration was once aimed at promoting diverse voices, it now serves to protect existing power structures against progressive change.

• He claims that true liberation requires active intolerance towards those who uphold conservative values perceived as oppressive.

The Role of John Stuart Mill

• Interestingly, Marcuse cites Mill extensively to justify limiting free speech in favor of advancing liberation goals.

• This paradox highlights how Mill’s arguments about toleration can be repurposed to support repressive measures against conservatives.

Transitioning to the Third Wave: Nietzschean Influences

• The third wave is characterized by Nietzschean philosophy which rejects both classical liberalism and Marxist progressivism.

• This wave manifests through figures who embrace strength and independence over collective norms established by previous ideologies.

Emergence of New Voices in Conservative Discourse

• Bronze Age Pervert (BAP), an influential online personality, embodies this new Nietzschean perspective within dissident conservatism.

• BAP critiques both mainstream conservatism and progressivism while appealing particularly to young men disillusioned with current societal norms.

The Concept of the Longhouse in Society

Overview of the Longhouse

• BAP describes the "longhouse" as a societal structure where mediocre individuals dominate, leading to a political and social order that represses young men's natural instincts for risk and adventure.

• Life within this longhouse requires young men to be submissive for the benefit of the tribe, often resulting in outcasts facing dire consequences if they resist conformity.

• This concept transcends time, with BAP arguing that both ancient and modern societies exhibit characteristics of the longhouse, influenced by various cultural norms.

Historical Context

• BAP asserts that moments of breaking free from the longhouse are rare; he cites the Bronze Age as a significant period when heroic figures emerged.

• Odysseus is highlighted as an archetype who escapes from this societal confinement, representing freedom and adventure.

The Pirate as a Symbol of Freedom

Characteristics of the Pirate

• BAP portrays pirates as embodiments of radical freedom, unbound by societal constraints and living life on their own terms.

• He argues that true freedom allows for personal growth in science, art, literature, and physical beauty—elements stifled by mundane existence.

Relationship with Civilization

• Despite their adventurous spirit, pirates exist somewhat parasitically within civilization; they do not aim to destroy it but rather seek refuge from its mediocrity.

• BAP envisions a future where superior individuals form isolated communities away from mainstream society while occasionally interacting with it.

Critique of Political Engagement

Disdain for Politics

• Critics label BAP's ideas as fascistic; however, he expresses disdain for conventional politics, viewing it as boring compared to lives filled with adventure.

• He encourages young men to pursue personal development over political involvement, emphasizing activities like fitness and martial arts instead.

Warnings Against Conventional Life

• BAP cautions against traditional family structures which he believes limit men's potential for greatness. He advocates for self-improvement over domestic responsibilities.

Liberation Themes in Modern Thought

Sexual Liberation

• Both Marcuse and BAP advocate for liberation from mundane existence through sexual freedom—a key aspect of individual autonomy.

Utopian Visions

• In his fictional works, BAP imagines pirate-like men discovering tribes beyond civilization—symbolizing ultimate liberation from societal constraints.

The Nature of Post-Liberalism

Evolution Beyond Liberalism

• The discussion highlights how contemporary ideologies reflect deeper roots in liberal thought while evolving into forms that challenge traditional liberal values.

Future Considerations

• The pressing question is not whether we are post-liberal but what kind we should strive towards—suggesting a need for new frameworks beyond current paradigms.

Exploring New Waves of Modernity

Fourth Wave Proposition

• A call is made to consider developing a fourth wave rooted in premodern values rather than continuing down paths shaped solely by liberalism.

Conclusion

This lecture emphasizes critical reflections on modernity's evolution while advocating for re-engagement with classical traditions to foster genuine human flourishing.

The Intersection of Faith and Politics in Islam and Christianity

The Nature of Faith Traditions

• Discussion on the dual nature of Islam as both a faith and political tradition, emphasizing its theocratic elements.

• Catholic Christianity is highlighted for being both universal and particular, with local forms of worship tied to specific geographic locations.

• Emphasis on how human encounters with the universal must be mediated through particular experiences.

Universalism vs. Particularity

• Reference to Chesterton's idea that universality is only comprehensible through particular instances, stressing a balance between the two.

• Acknowledgment that liberal internationalism emerged from specific historical contexts, shaped by settlers' experiences in self-governance.

Critique of Neoconservatism and False Universalism

Misapplication of Liberal Principles

• Mention of John Agresto's experience in Iraq, critiquing neoconservatism for assuming American liberal principles could be universally applied across different cultures.

• Agresto’s book "Mugged by Reality" discusses the dangers of imposing a false sense of universalism without respect for local traditions.

Respecting Local Context

• Agresto reflects on conservatism's core teaching: respect for particular histories and cultural traditions.

Engaging with Political Liberalism

Waves of Political Thought

• Introduction to Yeats’ quote about societal change, linking it to discussions around political waves presented by Strauss.

• Catharine MacKinnon's assertion that "Postmodernism is liberalism's terrible child," highlighting critiques within political theory.

Substance vs. Process in Liberal Thought

• Critique that political liberalism lacks substantive content; it aims to create a process-oriented society while sidelining questions about virtue.

Isaiah Berlin’s Concepts in Modern Discourse

Positive vs. Negative Liberty

• Inquiry into how Isaiah Berlin’s distinction between positive and negative liberty fits into contemporary discussions on freedom.

John Gray’s Evolving Views

• John Gray's shift from admiration for Berlin’s pluralistic ideas to skepticism regarding their application in modern contexts.

Pluralism Under Duress

Tensions Within Liberal Societies

• Exploration of Gray's concept where pluralistic societies face challenges when one form of liberal thought perceives oppression within another.

Case Study: The Amish Experience

• Personal anecdote from Princeton University discussing Rumspringa among Amish youth as an example of choice within constrained environments.

Freedom or Conditioning?

• Debate over whether Amish youth truly make free choices after experiencing broader society during Rumspringa; raises questions about conditioning versus autonomy.