In an era where discussions often centre on the decline of liberal values, a new philosophical work swims firmly against the current. Professor Alexandre Lefebvre, an academic in politics and philosophy, presents a compelling counter-narrative in his book, Liberalism as a Way of Life. He urges readers to step back and recognise the profound, often invisible, ways liberalism shapes our daily existence, from the freedoms we enjoy to the very fabric of our social interactions.
Gratitude for the Liberal Landscape
Lefebvre's first major argument is a call to appreciate the present. He points out that the freedoms modern democracies often take for granted—freedom of speech, the emancipation of women, peaceful transfers of political power, and unprecedented longevity—are not humanity's default setting. Instead, they are hard-won fruits of intense civilisational effort. The book encourages a mindset of daily gratitude over cynicism, asking us to consciously value the olive oil in every supermarket and the collaborative knowledge of Wikipedia as fragile triumphs.
The author draws a parallel to the Indian context, referencing the poet AK Ramanujan, who noted that in India, no one reads the Ramayan or Mahabharat for the first time; the stories are "always already" there. Similarly, in mature democracies, core liberal principles feel pre-existing. Lefebvre distils the liberal way of life into one core value—reciprocity—and two fundamental virtues: freedom and fairness.
Spiritual Exercises for Liberal Living
Moving beyond theory, the book provides practical "spiritual exercises" designed to help individuals live their liberal values more fully. One key exercise is the "conversation of justice." It guides a person from a general belief about injustice to a specific, personal instance where someone they know was treated unfairly.
The reader is then prompted to introspect: Why was it unfair? How did you react, and was that reaction justified? Did you discuss it? What could have prevented the injustice? Crucially, can you imagine yourself committing the same unfair act? This process, echoing Socrates' idea that an unexamined life is not worth living, aims to deepen ethical commitment.
The Intellectual and Cultural Roots
The philosophical backbone of the work is heavily influenced by John Rawls, from his seminal A Theory of Justice (1971) to Political Liberalism (1993). Rawls's work applied liberal principles to everyday contexts like parenting and education, emphasising open-mindedness and respect for others' autonomy.
Lefebvre also finds liberal heroes in popular culture, such as the character Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation. He highlights her commitment to public good, love for her community, and even her healthy, frustrated suspicion of democracy as embodying a liberal spirit.
The book clarifies that being "liberal" is an ancient concept, predating the political ideology of liberalism. Its Latin roots—liber (free and generous) and liberalis (befitting a free person)—have been reinvented across 2,000 years of Western history. Today, Lefebvre argues, it distils into a central question for our democratic age: "How can we live well and generously in this world?"
While the book speaks primarily to those within the liberal tradition, it acknowledges the system's potential fragility, warning of possible collapse from future crises like a "Covid-27" or a disruptive political shift. Its final message is a personal challenge: if liberalism is the source of your soul, you must actively promote its values and strive to live up to them every day.
