The Persistent Crisis of Western Liberalism

The rise of populism in recent years, amid worsening economic inequalities, raised profound questions about the resilience of western liberal democracies. Brexit, the inauguration of Trump and growing political turmoil across Europe demonstrated their vulnerabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has brutally exposed the failings of their underlying social contracts.

Yet Brexit is formally done. Despite an attempt to undermine the 2020 presidential election, Biden won. And the vaccines, heroically developed in record time, are now being rolled out. Has liberal democracy survived its crisis in the North Atlantic world?

Edward Luce, US national editor and columnist of the Financial Times, in conversation with Sanjay Ruparelia, will explore how the liberal democratic compact that oriented the west following the Cold War continues to face serious dangers -- and what can be done to revive its prospects.