Adrian Wooldridge at SSE: Can liberalism be renewed?
What went wrong with liberalism, and can the political center find its way forward? On September 28, historian and columnist Adrian Wooldridge joined the Stockholm School of Economics for a book talk exploring the history of liberalism, the rise of populism, and the challenges facing liberal democracy today.
On September 28, the Center for Statecraft and Strategic Communication (CSSC) at the Stockholm School of Economics welcomed historian, author, and Bloomberg Opinion columnist Adrian Wooldridge for a discussion about liberalism's past, present, and future.
The event marked the Swedish publication of his book Centrists of the World Unite! The Lost Genius of Liberalism, published in Swedish as Den revolutionära mitten: Liberalismens förlorade själ by Bokförlaget Stolpe.
Moderated by Rikard Westerberg, Director of CSSC, the conversation was framed around a central question: How did liberalism, a political tradition that helped shape modern democratic societies, find itself under pressure from populism, authoritarianism, and growing distrust of political institutions?
How liberalism lost its way
Liberalism has played a central role in shaping modern political and economic institutions. Yet its meaning has never been fixed. In Europe and the United States, the term has developed different political associations, spanning ideas about individual freedom, economic markets, democratic government, and social responsibility.
Wooldridge's book takes a broad historical approach, tracing liberalism's development and examining how its internal tensions have contributed to its present difficulties.
One of the central themes raised in the discussion was the relationship between liberalism and the political and economic elites associated with it.
The book argues that different strands of liberalism have moved away from some of their original principles. It criticizes approaches that prioritize markets above other considerations, political movements that emphasize group identity over individual freedom, and technocratic elites increasingly disconnected from ordinary voters.
These developments raise questions about the roots of populism and why political movements challenging liberal democratic institutions have gained support.
Can liberalism and capitalism be reconciled?
Another theme concerned the relationship between liberalism and capitalism.
Although the two have historically developed alongside one another, Wooldridge's analysis challenges the assumption that economic liberalization necessarily produces political freedom.
The discussion included the concentration of economic power, the return of privilege, and the challenges posed by authoritarian economies that remain deeply integrated into global trade.
China provides a particularly important example of these tensions. Its position as a major manufacturing economy and trading partner raises difficult questions for liberal democracies about economic dependence, political values, and strategic interests.
The book also examines how contemporary political developments, including the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency, have challenged elements of the international economic order established after World War II.
Rebuilding the political center
Beyond diagnosing liberalism's difficulties, Centrists of the World Unite! considers how the political center might respond.
Among the ideas explored in the book are the need to address the underlying causes of populism, challenge political extremes, strengthen democratic institutions, and make political and economic elites more open and accountable.
A recurring question is whether liberalism can renew itself without abandoning its commitment to individual freedom.
The discussion also considered the importance of political judgment and the role of education, institutions, and public leadership in sustaining liberal democratic societies.
For Sweden, these questions have particular relevance. The country's combination of market-oriented reforms, extensive public services, and a long history of political and economic openness provides an interesting setting in which to consider Wooldridge's arguments.
Why the debate matters
The questions raised by Wooldridge's book extend beyond party politics. They concern the institutions, economic relationships, and political ideas that shape democratic societies.
At a time of growing geopolitical tensions, political polarization, and changing international alliances, understanding the historical foundations of liberalism can provide a broader perspective on current challenges.
For the Center for Statecraft and Strategic Communication, the event reflected its interest in how political ideas, institutions, and strategic communication influence governance and public debate.
The book talk was organized by the Center for Statecraft and Strategic Communication at the Stockholm School of Economics in collaboration with Bokförlaget Stolpe.
About Adrian Wooldridge
Adrian Wooldridge is a historian, author, and columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. He previously spent approximately three decades at The Economist, where he held several senior editorial positions, including political editor. His writing focuses on politics, business, history, and the development of political and economic institutions.
