An Introduction to Classical Liberalism

The American system, Classical Liberalism, is under attack. In fact, it is at risk of failing. Its attacks come from both the Left and the Right, and they succeed, as Solzhenitsyn put it, "because we do not love freedom enough." If we truly love liberty, as we should, we would understand the philosophical underpinnings of our system like they're second nature. As is evidenced from the attacks upon it, though, few truly understand what Classical Liberalism is and what it believes. In this episode of the New Discourses Podcast, host James Lindsay lays out an introduction by going through his recent essay on the foundations of Classical Liberalism and then introducing the listener to the brilliant summary of Jonathan Rauch in his 1991 book Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought. Join him to understand what it is we are fighting to preserve, and why.