Francis Fukuyama: Liberalism and its Discontents

Liberalism faces a serious crisis. Developed in the wake of Europe’s wars over religion and nationalism, grounded in fundamental principles of equality and the rule of law, classical liberalism emphasized the rights of individuals to pursue their values and interests free from encroachment by government.

Yet its rise was coeval with Western imperialism and settler colonialism. It took centuries of struggle before our democracies extended formal rights to every citizen. And intense political disagreements have reshaped their meaning in recent decades, pitting a neoliberal cult of unfettered markets against progressive demands for social recognition, creating new faultlines in our public sphere and civil society. The practical realization of individual rights is a daily struggle for many citizens.

What is the meaning of liberalism today? How can our democracies realize its most promising ideals given the historic challenges we face? Or does the darker history of liberalism overshadow its possibilities?

The renowned political scientist Francis Fukuyama explores these questions in conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia.