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The Idea Vacuum of Liberalism and the Quest for Meaning and Community

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  2. Economics, Finance, Business & Management
  3. Journal of Contextual Economics – Schmollers Jahrbuch
  4. Vol. 139, Issue 2–4
  5. pp. 259–270

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Karlson, N. The Idea Vacuum of Liberalism and the Quest for Meaning and Community. Journal of Contextual Economics – Schmollers Jahrbuch, 139(2–4), 259-270. https://doi.org/10.3790/schm.139.2-4.259
Karlson, Nils "The Idea Vacuum of Liberalism and the Quest for Meaning and Community" Journal of Contextual Economics – Schmollers Jahrbuch 139.2–4, 2019, 259-270. https://doi.org/10.3790/schm.139.2-4.259
Karlson, Nils (2019): The Idea Vacuum of Liberalism and the Quest for Meaning and Community, in: Journal of Contextual Economics – Schmollers Jahrbuch, vol. 139, iss. 2–4, 259-270, [online] https://doi.org/10.3790/schm.139.2-4.259
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The Idea Vacuum of Liberalism and the Quest for Meaning and Community

Karlson, Nils

Journal of Contextual Economics – Schmollers Jahrbuch, Vol. 139 (2019), Iss. 2–4 : pp. 259–270

3 Citations (CrossRef)

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Article Details

Publisher Name
Duncker & Humblot
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3790/schm.139.2-4.259
Language
English
Pages
12
Keywords

Author Details

Karlson, Nils, Linköping University and the Ratio Institute, Sveavägen 59, 103 64 Stockholm, Sweden.

Cited By

  1. Reviving Classical Liberalism Against Populism

    The Populist Divisive, Activist Ideas

    Karlson, Nils

    2024

    https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49074-3_5 [Citations: 0]

  2. Reviving Classical Liberalism Against Populism

    The Classical Liberal Ideas, Predicaments, and Potentials

    Karlson, Nils

    2024

    https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49074-3_6 [Citations: 0]

  3. Reviving Classical Liberalism Against Populism

    Explaining Populism and Autocratization

    Karlson, Nils

    2024

    https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-49074-3_4 [Citations: 0]

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Abstract

Liberalism is losing ground, while populist or even authoritarian nationalist regimes are on the rise. This article argues that the causes of the decline are, at least partly, endogenous, that a narrow focus on economic efficiency and the successful critique of socialism and the welfare state have created an idea vacuum that has opened up for these illiberal tendencies. The conclusion is that a central challenge for liberalism is to offer a comprehensive idea and narrative about meaning and community that is not socialist, conservative or nationalist, but distinctly liberal, to counter these developments.

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Nils Karlson: The Idea Vacuum of Liberalism and the Quest for Meaning and Community 1
Abstract 1
1. Introduction 1
2. The Welfare State and the People’s Romance 2
3. The Implosion of the Political Centerand the Rise of Populism 4
4. The Quest for Meaning and Community 5
5. A Liberal Challenge 8
References 9

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