Crisis lesson for liberals
Paweł Krężołek, translation: AG Wednesday, 30 December 2009 18:40
Events of the last few months force us, the liberals, to reflection, a reflection mainly on our intellectual condition. The crisis has shown that in the public debate we have to take a step back more and more often, what is not a result of us being wrong, but a result of us not being prepared for an intellectual polemic with the Left.
A dispute over the genesis of present-day crisis can be an example. Socialists of various kind accuse neoliberalism and deregulating processes that were introduced by western countries' governments within the frameworks of 'Washington Consensus'. They lay emphases on giving up bureaucratic control (socalled 'democratic' or 'social') over market economy and liberalization of trading. Socialists dream of global state's world, an active and protective state (steeling, as a matter of care, 50% or more of it's citizens' income) that will lead individuals to the 'brave, new world'. How does the liberals answer to such opinions? I have to admit that, except one case, they are remarkably inferior to the Left. Very often, while listening to these disputes, one can have an impression that 'hegemony of liberalism', declared by F. Fukuyame after 1989, has absolved us, the liberals, from the duty of substantial contend for our theses.
We can encounter some theses claiming superiority a priori of free-market economy towards, to substantial arguments against such a solutions put forward by the Left. A confidence, that our idea dominates, has killed in us a need for constant battle for 'government of souls', a real social belief in our rights. It has also led us to complete abandoning the idea of an intellectual progress. While the Left publishes books, organizes lecturers, we leave a the 'war of ideas' assuming, as I suppose, that the liberal order is predominant.
These are completely wrong assumptions. Since quite a long time, in intellectual circles (the ones that create and will create public opinion), the common acquaintance with the prime project of young Left - Political Critic (Krytyka Polityczna) can be observed, whereas such brands as Mises Institute or Liberte! magazine are recognized by small groups of young scientists and students, who already are supporters of liberal opinions. The Left in Poland, with our passivity and, as I assume, our ignorance, is winning Gramsci's 'culture war'. If we recall the idea of this italian marxist claiming, that this should be the first stage to introduce socialism, then it becomes seriously scary.
Getting back to crisis, very often in public discourse, which is mainly our merit, it's real cause - excessive intervention of country - is getting forgotten. The only one, who has enough courage to remind the destabilizing role of Freddie Mac and Freddie May on estate market in USA, was Ron Paul. A man, who has been presenting his opinions in a firm, determined way, thereby exposing himself to irrational attacs e.g. accusation of racism towards to the poor when few years ago he opposed against setting up those two agencies. There are few followers of Ron Paul in our country. I don't know, if it results from pragmatism of polish liberals (why should we swim against the stream?) or rather from the consequences of intellectual stagnation and a wish (?) for unconditioned capitulation in 'idea war' with the socialists. I personally lean towards the second reason. However, I do not give up hope in our awakening and picking up the gauntlet in this battle.
Despite the fact, that we've already gave place to socialists, we have to remember that, in this battle, freedom backers haven't succumbed to enthusiasts of 'The road to serfdom' yet.
