How To Be A Liberal: The Story of Freedom and the Fight for its Survival by Ian Dunt

How To Be A Liberal: The Story of Freedom and the Fight for its Survival by political journalist Ian Dunt explores the story of liberalism and the pressures it faces today. The book describes a political landscape in which the authoritarian right is gaining ground, with examples ranging from Viktor Orban in Hungary and Brexit in Britain to Donald Trump in America, as nationalists challenge liberal values.

Spanning from the fight against absolute monarchy to modern-day resistance against new populism, the narrative moves across key moments including the battlefields of the English Civil War and the 2008 financial crash. It sets out the political ideas that underpin the modern world, while also presenting itself as a rallying cry for those who continue to believe in freedom and reason.

Key details

• Author: Ian Dunt
• Described as a new book
• Traces the development of liberalism from its origins to the present day
• References events including the English Civil War and the 2008 financial crash

Synopsis

The book argues that nationalists are mounting an assault on liberal values as the authoritarian right takes control in various countries. It recounts liberalism’s emergence in opposition to absolute monarchy and follows its evolution through major political and historical moments.

By explaining the ideas that shape the modern world, it also frames itself as a call to defend freedom and reason in the face of contemporary populism.