India’s recent general election saw a decisive victory for the opposition, delivering a blow to the ruling right-wing forces and their divisive rhetoric. The results offer a glimmer of hope for a more inclusive democracy, but also highlight the ongoing challenges of liberalism and the need for a more rational and just approach to governance.
In an interview with Bishop Robert Barron, political scientist Patrick Deneen argues that modern liberalism’s emphasis on individual freedom without constraint has led to a breakdown of society at every level. This has resulted in a society of ‘little tyrants,’ where people have no sense of cohesion or common good. Deneen traces the origins of this problem to the ancient Greek understanding of freedom, which focused on achieving virtue through self-discipline. He also criticizes the disconnect between elite Americans and ordinary citizens, which he believes has contributed to the concentration of economic and political power in the hands of a few.
