Researcher ORCID Identifier

0009-0009-2331-3513

Graduation Year

2024

Date of Submission

4-2024

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Government

Reader 1

George Thomas

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Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2024 B Weisberg

Abstract

Liberalism has become a focal point for criticism on the Global Right. Among the strongest critics are the "post-liberals," primarily Catholic intellectuals who decry extreme individualism and the damaging impact of the market economy on community ties and the environment. While the post-liberals recycle some compelling arguments against liberalism, I contend that their proposed alternative is fundamentally flawed. Before presenting post-liberal arguments, I briefly unpack the roots of liberalism and some of its important right-wing critics to create a context for understanding the current post-liberal movement. Then I examine Patrick Deneen’s and Adrian Vermeule’s manipulations of history and philosophy. Finally, I present philosophical responses to Deneen and Vermeule’s critiques of liberalism. My delineation of the flaws in the work of these two prominent and influential right-wing intellectuals is meant to stand as a critique of the post-liberal approach more generally.

This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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