Liberalism is in trouble | The Spectator Australia

Liberalism is in trouble. This is not a comment about political parties which may use the Liberal name, but about the approach to society and government that emphasises the decentralisation of power to foster individual empowerment. The trouble is that this liberalism is losing supporters. This trend was documented 18 months ago in a CIS Policy Paper which explained the shift in those born after 1980 as due in part to ignorance of the problems and failures of socialism.  

There are other powerful factors as well. In a recent article in the Atlantic, David Brooks outlines the devastating effects in the USA of the long term decline of social trust— the confidence that others will do the right thing. From the high water mark…