The Apparent Demise of Liberalism

Abstract

It appears, from all the conservative self-congratulations over their recent triumphs, that liberalism has been finally laid to rest. If the conservative rumors about the decline of liberalism are true, it is a problem liberals have made for themselves. Liberals have allowed conservatives to define what they are all about. Of all things “needing repair” is how liberals think of themselves. They should not allow conservatives to do their thinking for them. These semantic matters are not matters of simple definition for liberals. They are matters of self conception and allegiance that require careful examination.