Liberalism's Lost Virtue: Reclaiming Civic Duty and Mutual Connectedness

The Lost History of Liberalism: Reclaiming a Virtue in a Fractured Age

The current political landscape is dominated by illiberalism, yet liberalism itself appears weakened and lacking a compelling vision. This conversation with Helena Rosenblatt, author of The Lost History of Liberalism, reveals a critical, non-obvious implication: modern liberalism has largely abandoned its historical foundation in the virtue of "liberality," a concept emphasizing civic duty, mutual connectedness, and moral development. This abandonment has left liberalism arid and aspirational, struggling to inspire in the face of existential challenges. Those who engage with this historical perspective--particularly political strategists, civic leaders, and anyone seeking to understand the roots of contemporary political malaise--will gain a crucial advantage: the ability to reconnect with liberalism's deeper, more robust origins, offering a potent antidote to the prevailing cynicism and apathy. This is not merely an academic exercise; it's a vital re-examination of what it means to be a citizen and how to build a society that truly thrives.

The Forgotten Virtue: Liberality and the Erosion of Civic Character

The prevailing understanding of liberalism today centers on individual rights and expression. However, Helena Rosenblatt's work unearths a profound historical divergence: for centuries before the term "liberalism" even existed, being "liberal" was synonymous with embodying the virtue of liberalitas. This ancient concept, rooted in Roman ideals, encompassed generosity, devotion to the common good, and a commitment to mutual connectedness. It was not merely a political philosophy but a moral and character-driven ethic, shaping citizens for the demanding task of self-governance.

Rosenblatt argues that this deep wellspring of civic virtue has been largely forgotten, replaced by a more atomistic focus on individual rights. This shift, she suggests, has contributed to liberalism's current perceived weakness. The early liberals, far from being solely focused on maximizing individual choice, believed that a good constitution should foster moral development and enable citizens to make "good choices." This emphasis on character formation, deeply embedded in the liberal arts tradition, aimed to cultivate leaders capable of upholding a complex society.

"For almost 2,000 years, it meant demonstrating the virtues of a citizen, showing devotion to the common good, and respecting the importance of mutual connectedness."

-- Helena Rosenblatt

The historical narrative reveals a persistent tension: liberalism, from its inception, has been associated with elites. The virtues of liberalitas were initially cultivated among the free, wealthy, and well-connected in ancient Rome. This inherent elitism, Rosenblatt notes, has often been a source of critique, with liberals sometimes perceived as smug or condescending. Yet, this tradition also demanded significant obligations from its adherents, emphasizing moral uplift and the responsibility to serve as examples. This historical context helps explain the profound shock many liberals feel towards figures like Donald Trump, whose behavior fundamentally flouts the expected norms of civic interaction and mutual respect, demonstrating the enduring importance of character in maintaining a functioning society.

The Paradox of Tolerance and the Marketplace of Ideas

The evolution of liberalism saw the virtue of liberalitas transform into the more radical political idea of tolerance. Initially, this was not tolerance for tolerance's sake, but a pragmatic belief, particularly among Protestant reformers, that a free marketplace of ideas, including religious ones, would lead to a purification and refinement of thought. The idea was that by allowing diverse viewpoints to compete without state or church interference, society would progress.

"Yes, so marketplaces of ideas without state interference, without church interference, allow these ideas to compete with each other, including religious ideas, and this will be kind of a purification process. Yeah, they were very optimistic about the future. Today, that seems so naive."

-- Helena Rosenblatt

This optimism, however, contained a shadow side: a deep-seated contempt for religions or dogmas deemed "superstitious" or "backward." This created a paradox of tolerance, where liberals advocated for freedom of speech and religion but were often intolerant of those they considered intolerant. This tension, particularly with the Catholic Church, foreshadowed contemporary debates about whether liberalism can truly tolerate illiberalism without undermining its own foundations. The core belief was that disagreement, when channeled through argumentation and free exchange, could refine society and lead to truth and progress--a belief that feels increasingly fragile today.

From Laissez-Faire to the Welfare State: The Shifting Landscape of Liberal Governance

The historical trajectory of liberalism shows a significant shift in its relationship with state power. Early liberals, emerging from revolutions against monarchical rule, prioritized constitutionalism, individual rights, freedom of speech, religion, and private property. However, the Industrial Revolution and its attendant social problems, such as widespread poverty and worker exploitation, forced a re-evaluation.

The emergence of "new liberalism," particularly in England and later in America, recognized that deregulation was not always leading to societal improvement. Influenced by thinkers who studied societal patterns and by the perceived effectiveness of German state intervention in areas like healthcare and education, a new understanding of liberalism took hold. This "new liberalism" saw a more active role for government in addressing social welfare, not solely as a matter of justice, but as a means of "uplift"--creating the conditions for a capable, educated, and productive citizenry essential for liberal democracy.

"The early liberals were early mostly concerned with creating a political system, getting rid of the divine right of kings and having constitutional representative government with guarantees for individual rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and private property rights, rule of law, obviously very important. But as they're also pragmatic people, and over time with the industrial revolution, with urbanization, they see new problems arise, right?"

-- Helena Rosenblatt

This marked a divergence from the classical, laissez-faire liberalism that often champions small government. In America, this evolution led to a distinct form of liberalism, often associated with figures like FDR, that embraced a more interventionist state. This created a significant split, with European liberalism often retaining its classical, small-government roots, while American liberalism increasingly embraced a larger role for government in ensuring freedom and security. This internal tension within liberalism--between individual liberty and collective well-being, between limited government and governmental intervention--continues to shape its contemporary identity and challenges.

Key Action Items

• Immediate Actions (Next 1-3 Months):

  • Re-familiarize with foundational texts: Seek out and read core works like The Lost History of Liberalism, Democracy in America, and potentially early writings of Locke and Cicero to grasp the historical concept of "liberality." This offers immediate intellectual grounding.
  • Identify and discuss "liberality" in current discourse: Actively look for instances where concepts of civic virtue, common good, and mutual obligation are discussed or neglected in contemporary political and social commentary. This sharpens analytical focus.
  • Examine personal commitment to civic virtue: Reflect on individual actions and their contribution to the common good, moving beyond a strict focus on individual rights. This personal introspection builds a foundation for broader engagement.

• Mid-Term Investments (Next 3-12 Months):

  • Integrate historical context into policy analysis: When evaluating contemporary political issues, actively consider how historical liberal ideals of character, civic duty, and communal responsibility might offer alternative perspectives to purely rights-based or market-driven solutions. This requires deliberate effort but yields deeper insights.
  • Support educational initiatives promoting civic virtues: Advocate for or participate in programs that emphasize character development, public service, and the responsibilities of citizenship, rather than solely focusing on job preparation. This builds long-term societal capacity.
  • Engage in "difficult conversations" about tolerance: Actively participate in or facilitate discussions that explore the paradox of tolerance, examining how to uphold liberal principles in the face of illiberal challenges without succumbing to intolerance. This requires courage and intellectual rigor.

• Long-Term Investments (12-24+ Months):

  • Champion a "new liberalism" focused on shared responsibility and uplift: Contribute to public discourse and policy development that frames social welfare and governmental action not just as redistribution, but as essential for cultivating a capable and virtuous citizenry. This strategic framing can shift public perception and policy direction.
  • Foster intergenerational dialogue on liberalism's evolution: Create platforms or initiatives where different generations can discuss liberalism's historical shifts, its strengths, and its weaknesses, bridging the gap between traditional ideals and contemporary challenges. This ensures knowledge transfer and adaptation.
  • Develop and promote a language of "individuality" and "personhood" over "individualism": Actively use and advocate for terms that emphasize personal flourishing and the development of capacities, distinct from the self-centered connotations of "individualism." This linguistic shift can subtly reorient societal values.