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Liberalism is in criticism, not a question. In his accusation of self-guilt when populists win, political scientist Jan Zielonka has uttered painful truths last week. His guest contribution ended with a concrete work order to Liberals in Europe: to renew mselves and to develop liberal visions. This is only way to oppose populism in Europe.
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No question: The criticism sits. The problem is that Zielonka equates unequally in his argument. On one, liberalism as an ideology is not same as liberal democracy as a political system. On or, he criticizes a homogeneous liberalism, which does not exist in 21st century.
This double-threaded misconduct is no coincidence. Political science has overslept developments of recent years in liberal centre of Europe. The reinvention of liberalism, which Zielonka calls for, has already been in works. Last year, I interviewed 40 representatives of new Liberal movements across Europe for a book project.
Let’s start with terms.
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Who are “liberals” who Zielonka “populists”? If one believes Zielonka, se are all who profess to be a pluralistic, liberal democracy. This is a far too broad term that encompasses everything from center-right to center-left and prevents a real understanding. Because political center at beginning of 21st century is far more heterogeneous than Zielonka it represents.
Joseph Lentsch
is director of Viennese NEOs lab of Party Academy of Liberal Party ” new Austria and Liberal Forum” (NEOs), and author of book Political entrepreneurship, which will appear in autumn of 2018.
On one hand, re are those who rightly criticize Zielonka for ir own “soft version of Populism” and are also happy to coalition with populist and populists. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian briefly belongs to this, but also Theresa May in United Kingdom. Also Mark Rutte in Nerlands can be blamed.
On or hand, re are those who confront populists with an optimistic counter-vision of democracy and Europe. This includes Emmanuel Macron with en Marche in France, but also movement Ciudadanos in Spain, Nowoczesna in Poland, momentum in Hungary, Progresivne in Slovakia or NEOs in Austria.
These are genuine reform movements. As much as you criticize political establishment, do not let it turn to anger, but provide solution-oriented constructive political alternatives. They are pro-European, per market economy and progressive.
