Mark Lilla's The Once and Future Liberal offers a bracing, if at times dispiriting, account of why American liberalism has struggled to maintain its political coherence and electoral success in recent decades. Published in 2017, in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump's election, the book serves as both a post-mortem and a prescriptive guide, arguing that a fundamental ideological shift is necessary if the left is to regain its footing. Lilla contends that contemporary liberalism has become too focused on identity politics, neglecting the broader concerns of class and national identity that historically fueled its greatest victories. He posits that a return to a more universalist, pragmatic liberalism, one that emphasizes economic solidarity and national purpose, is essential for its future.
Lilla's central thesis is that the Democratic Party, and American liberalism more broadly, has been adrift since the mid-20th century, gradually abandoning the unifying principles that once defined it. He traces this decline through what he terms "the age of identity" since the 1960s, arguing that a well-intentioned but ultimately divisive focus on group grievances has alienated large swathes of the electorate. Instead of appealing to a common American identity or shared economic fate, liberals have increasingly spoken in the language of distinct group experiences – race, gender, sexual orientation, and so on. While acknowledging the validity of these concerns, Lilla argues that this fragmented approach makes it difficult to construct a broad-based coalition capable of winning national elections. He cites the Democratic Party's performance in presidential elections since 2000 as evidence, noting consistent struggles in the Rust Belt and with white working-class voters, even as they have made gains with college-educated urban and suburban demographics.
The book's prescriptive element is equally important. Lilla calls for a return to a more Burkean liberalism, emphasizing prudence, tradition, and a sense of shared national destiny. He believes that liberals need to re-engage with the idea of America as a nation-state, recognizing the importance of national identity and the need for a unifying civic narrative. This means, for Lilla, shifting the focus away from the specialized grievances of various identity groups toward a more inclusive vision of citizenship and collective well-being. He advocates for a renewed emphasis on economic populism, drawing parallels to the New Deal era, where economic insecurity and opportunity served as potent rallying cries that transcended many social divisions. Lilla suggests that a liberalism that prioritizes upward mobility, secure employment, and a strong social safety net, framed within a narrative of national progress, could rebuild the broad coalition necessary for electoral success.
While Lilla's diagnosis offers a compelling critique, it is not without its critics. Some argue that he underestimates the enduring power and political necessity of identity-based movements, particularly for marginalized communities who have historically lacked representation and protection. The Civil Rights movement, for example, was fundamentally an identity movement that achieved significant societal change. Furthermore, Lilla's proposed "national purpose" can be vague and open to interpretation, potentially echoing nationalist sentiments that could be co-opted by illiberal forces. The book’s focus on electoral strategy sometimes overshadows the moral and ethical imperatives that drive liberal political action. The challenge, then, lies in finding a balance: acknowledging and addressing the legitimate claims of diverse identity groups while also forging a compelling, inclusive vision of national belonging and shared economic prosperity.
Ultimately, The Once and Future Liberal serves as a provocative and timely intervention in ongoing debates about the future of American liberalism. Lilla's critique of identity politics, while controversial, forces a necessary conversation about how political movements can broaden their appeal without abandoning their core values. His call for a more universalist, pragmatic, and nationally oriented liberalism presents a clear, though challenging, path forward. Whether his proposed remedies will prove sufficient to revitalize a struggling political tradition remains to be seen, but his analysis provides a crucial framework for understanding the current political landscape and contemplating the challenges ahead.