Liberalism today

Question 1

optimism post 1990

Answer 1

 Collapse of Soviet Union 1989.
 Emergence of new capitalist states in Eastern Europe.
 Worldwide spread of economic liberalism e.g. illiberal states such as China and Russia
embraced market forces and capitalism.
 UK and USA seemed to be assuming an even more liberal character.
 State sponsored tolerance of diverse lifestyles e.g. UK same sex marriage 2013.
 New Labour in UK embraced economic liberalism by revising Clause IV.
 Concern for improved constitutional government became a recurrent feature in UK post
1997.

Question 2

challenges to liberalism

Answer 2

 Terrorism, e.g. 9/11 in US, and 2005 in UK. Emerging threat of terrorism blatantly challenges
most basic liberal values – nature of response to terrorism also threaten values.
 Among certain religious communities in western states there is growing support for radical
faith based politics which defies toleration.
 Globalisation brought problems, e.g. increased migration backlash.
 Increased support for UKIP, Trump – populist political movements – BREXIT.
 Financial crash 2008 and economic crises in Eurozone post 2013.