Liberalism Faces 20 Years of Crises as Post-Liberal Politics Gains Ground
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Sep 6
Liberalism Faces 20 Years of Crises as Post-Liberal Politics Gains Ground
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Sep 6
Summary
A cumulative run of shocks over roughly 20 years has left many voters convinced the conventional order cannot deliver security, prosperity or progress, pushing western democracies toward a post-liberal era.
That disillusionment spans economic, social and cultural upheaval — from 9/11, Iraq and the financial crisis to Covid, inflation, Gaza and AI — creating a near-constant sense of breakdown.
In Australia, that mood helps explain support for insurgent forces such as One Nation: up to 60% of Australians say immigration is too high, but analysts argue many back it more as a vehicle for fury than policy.
The argument is that today’s radical currents on both right and left are less isolated culture-war eruptions than reactions against liberalism itself — the postwar promise of freedom, choice and ever-rising living standards.