Rod Liddle: It's 2017 and liberalism is dead - Viewsnight

Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.

[NagleOliver]

I agree that a shift needed to take place but it needed to shift from neo-liberal capitalism to social democracy rather than to conservative capitalism.

[Caesar_Himself]

Most sensible opinion piece I've seen produced by the BBC in a long time.

[christrinder]

An extremely accurate representation of the mood of the UK and US and European populations. Excellent

[Portekberm]

the first thing ive seen on the bbc i agree with in ages...

about time too

but as another comment suggests, this is not about liberalism, but progressivism

[MartynDavies]

Laissez-faire economics has a lot to answer for, but I don't see that any of the new democratic alternatives are championing alternative strategies to neoliberalism.

[nascar]

Thank you to the BBC for allowing public comments and it is food for thought mister Liddle....

[biggu]

rod liddle
he's the guy
that ran away and left his wife
...for a young one

[chrisbarnes]

My view Rod is right in what he says. It chimes with the views of so many people I know who voted for BREXIT. You may not like it but, do not disregard it because you do.

[Yawnymcsnore]

allowing comments on the best video you've put out in ages well done

[PrivateAckbar]

Does this mean classical liberals/libertarians can have our word back from privileged social democrats?

I think British independence and Hillary Clinton's loss were both wins for classical liberalism.

[moleman]

It’s strange like new channels like RT are labelled “state sponsored” by youtube, yet the bbc is viewed as a “public broadcaster”

[adodgygeeza]

sorry Rod but a 52% victory in Brexit and a popular vote loss in America doesn't mean that the general progress of technology and learning isn't moving in a liberal direction.

[andrewhunter]

People voting for Brexit may have done so in opposition to liberalism but Theresa May's Brexit speech was as liberal as could be considering the circumstances she's in. Liberalism is facing a serious challenge for sure, but its not dead. As always the pendulum will swing back and history will march on.

[Blech]

Many words, said with the pomp of profundity, but really very little meaning and insight. The analysis: the left and right have failed, but get ready for ten more years of the Tories leaning ever further right. Useful. Real useful, Nostradamus.

[johnnyb]

The old labels and battle lines - left vs right, liberals vs conservatives etc, are starting to become inadequate, at least for me. Not sure what to call myself anymore. I am a left-wing Brexiteer (Lexiteer). I voted Leave but my reasons for doing so have nothing to do with immigration or "preserving national identity". I did it because I see the EU as an emerging totalitarian superstate and possibly a stepping stone towards a global dictatorship. I'm a "liberal" in the sense that I'm against racism, sexism and homophobia, but I don't like political correctness either, because for me freedom of expression is (or should be) an essential part of liberalism (after all the term liberalism comes from the word liberty). I get flak from both sides. Right-wingers call me a "libtard" and leftists call me a "conspiracy nut".

[sitrepSNAFU]

People generally not accepting election/referendum results but demanding democratic process, as long it's in their favour. As much as you might be at odds with the result, it's this liberal attitude to the will of the majority that disturbs me.

[johnredfern]

What still lives is the want for everyone to have a just society, a viable democracy and a stable home? Sorry 2017, not yet, not yet.

[pigofapilot]

Liberalism and neoliberalism are not the same thing. Ron Liddle is talking about neoliberalism which has infiltrated both the right and left since the days of Thatcher and Reagan. It has nothing to do with the Liberal Party values of old. The 'liberal' part of 'neoliberalism' applies only to global de-regulation of the financial sector and globalisation and is supported by Non-Government-Organizations (NGOs), sometimes called 'The Elite'. The confusion is understandable. The neoliberals now much prefer to be called 'libertarians', which adds confusion to the confusion. For example, Blair, Brown, Clegg, Farron, Cameron, Obama and the Clintons are all 'neoliberals' as opposed to Liberals. May and Trump do not appear to fall into either camp and are better described as 'conservatives'. Sanders and Corbyn are probably best described as 'social-democrats' but, overall, party politics are in turmoil and becoming blurred with time. There are new divisions everywhere.

[DCI-Frank-Burnside]

Rod's off his rocker. he's trying to filter the essence of white van man through some political prism within his own persona.

[dchahal]

video does not work all other videos sources work.