‘A tour de force.’ –
The Secret Barrister ‘Urgent and engaging.’ –
Nick Cohen, Observer columnist ‘A phenomenal history from a truly big mind.’ – David Schneider, writer ''Required reading for anyone interested in politics and philosophy.'' – Prospect magazine In a soaring narrative that stretches from the battlefields of the English Civil War to the 2008 Wall Street crash and Brexit, Ian Dunt tells the story of liberalism from its birth in the fight against absolute monarchy to the modern-day struggle against dog-whistle nationalism.
Narrated by the author, this vivid, epic book explains the political ideas which underpin the modern world.
Written by a co-presenter of the Origin Story podcast, it is a call to action for those who believe in freedom and reason, and a clear-throated defence and explanation of why those values matter to us all, in our everyday lives.
Mostly, though, it is political history and philosophy as it should be written (and read): taut, thought-provoking and bursting with ideas.
Among the topics dealt with are:
- The birth of liberalism with Rene Descartes
- Radical ideas of freedom in the English Civil War
- Mob rule during the French Revolution
- Liberal values in the American War of Independence
- John Stuart Mill and liberalism''s great love affair
- The Nazi and Soviet crushing of individual liberty
- John Maynard Keynes'' liberal economics
- The rise of identity politics and groupthink
- Social media and misinformation
- Donald Trump and the rise of nationalism worldwide
- Why we fight for our values – the rebellion begins here
Hailed as ''courageous'' by LBC''s James O''Brien and as a ''tour de force'' by the Secret Barrister,
How to be a Liberal is
