Andrew Jones – “Though liberals do a great deal of talking about hearing other points of view, it sometimes shocks them to learn that there are other points of view,” the American conservative, William F. Buckley, quipped in Up from Liberalism (1959).  Here he seems to have struck at the heart of a central difficulty afflicting liberals: their tolerant and virtuous self-image tends them to an intolerance of anyone who disagrees.  This is becoming increasingly evident globally, as many liberals cling harder to the power they fear may be slipping from their grasp.

A significant number of Americans were riled during the former administration by the uneasy sense that they were being talked down to by their president and his circle.  “When they go low, we go high,” said by the former first lady, unwittingly expressed this moral and intellectual presumption.

It was an instance of a general stance that has propelled the liberal elite away from the populace, turning them from being representatives of the people to a law unto themselves.  Not specific to the U.S., this pattern can be seen across the West.  Continue reading →