This panel invites submissions that explore liberalism not merely as a political concept or partisan ideology but as a comprehensive way of life, as recently articulated in Alexandre Lefebvre’s Liberalism as a Way of Life (2024). This perspective raises pressing questions about liberalism's future, especially in light of recent critiques by scholars such as Samuel Moyn, John Gray, and Patrick Deneen, who argue that liberalism has strayed from its foundational values, either becoming disconnected from democratic and egalitarian ideals or, as some disillusioned liberals suggest, failing to address the complexities of contemporary politics and the rise of authoritarian discontent with liberal democracies.
We seek papers that interrogate the intersection of political philosophy and lived experience. Potential topics include how liberalism as a way of life interacts with traditions like anarchism, socialism, feminism, and libertarianism; how it informs both procedural and substantive conceptions of justice; and the role of culture and philanthropy in fostering a liberal society. Contributions addressing these themes are especially welcome:
- Political Traditions as Ways of Living: How do different political traditions, including liberalism and rival traditions such as feminism, socialism, and libertarianism, shape not only thought but the way individuals live their lives? What does it mean to live according to a political tradition?
- Philosophy as an Embodied Practice: How can the notion of philosophy as a way of living, rather than an abstract system of thought, reframe contemporary political theory? How does this approach affect our understanding of liberalism's role in democratic societies?
- The Ethics of Living in a Liberal Society: How does liberalism inform ethical behavior and civic responsibilities in everyday life? What are the limits of liberal ethics in addressing pressing social and political challenges?
- Philanthropy in Liberal Societies: To what extent is philanthropy compatible with the core principles of liberalism and what is its role in fostering more liberal ways of living?
Submissions may also examine how political traditions serve as normative guides for action, and how liberalism, in particular, engages with critiques from within and beyond its tradition.