The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics

The Once and Future Liberal examines the trajectory of American liberalism from FDR's New Deal through the present day. Mark Lilla analyzes how the Democratic party shifted from broad coalition-building to a focus on identity-based movements. The book traces key moments in liberal politics and documents the rise of identity-focused activism on college campuses and in progressive organizations. Lilla draws on historical examples and contemporary political developments to make his case about the evolution of left-wing politics in America. The narrative moves between political analysis and cultural criticism, examining how liberals communicate their message and build electoral coalitions. The text incorporates elements of memoir alongside political theory and social commentary. At its core, this work grapples with fundamental questions about citizenship, shared purpose, and the future of progressive politics in the United States. The book proposes ways to rebuild liberal political power while maintaining commitments to social justice.

Readers view this as a critique of modern liberalism's focus on identity politics, with particular attention to its electoral consequences. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear analysis of how Democrats lost working class voters - Pragmatic suggestions for rebuilding liberal coalitions - Concise length and accessible writing style Common criticisms: - Oversimplifies complex social issues - Lacks concrete policy proposals - Dismissive tone toward social movements - Too focused on criticizing rather than solutions One reader noted "He makes valid points about messaging but seems to misunderstand why identity politics emerged in the first place." Another wrote "Important discussion but feels incomplete in its prescriptions." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.0/5 (280+ ratings) The book appears to resonate more with centrist Democrats frustrated with current party messaging, while drawing criticism from progressive readers who feel it minimizes legitimate social justice concerns.

The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt This examination of moral psychology explains the divide between liberals and conservatives through scientific research on how people form political beliefs.

The Tyranny of Merit by Michael J. Sandel A critique of meritocracy reveals how the rhetoric of rising has contributed to the political polarization of American society.

Why Liberalism Failed by Patrick Deneen This analysis explores how liberalism's focus on individual autonomy has undermined the social foundations necessary for democracy to function.

Identity by Francis Fukuyama A historical investigation traces how modern identity politics emerged and shapes current political discourse across ideological lines.

The End of Identity Liberalism by Mark Lilla This companion work expands on the themes of citizenship and shared political destiny as alternatives to identity-based politics.

🔹 Mark Lilla's controversial book sparked intense debate when published in 2017, expanding on his viral New York Times op-ed that criticized Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign strategy 🔹 The book's central argument challenges the effectiveness of identity politics in American liberalism, suggesting it has fragmented the Democratic party and weakened its ability to create broad political coalitions 🔹 Despite being a self-identified liberal, Lilla faced significant backlash from progressive critics who accused him of dismissing the importance of civil rights movements and marginalized voices 🔹 The title plays on T.H. White's Arthurian novel "The Once and Future King," suggesting a parallel between the needed restoration of liberal politics and the mythical return of King Arthur 🔹 The entire book is remarkably concise at just 160 pages, yet covers a sweeping historical analysis of American liberalism from FDR's New Deal to contemporary politics