Skip Navigation

COVID-19 information and resources: gonzaga.edu/ZagOn

  • University Navigation University Navigation
  • Search Button
Search Button
s
Close Menu

Gonzaga Home

  • About
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • myGU

College & Schools

  • Online Graduate Programs
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • School of Business Administration
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Applied Science
  • School of Law
  • School of Leadership Studies
  • School of Nursing & Human Physiology

Info For

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Military & Veterans
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Our Community
  • Basketball Fans
Visit
Apply
Give
Close Menu
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University
  • Search Button
  • Toggle Menu
News, Events & Stories Menu
  • News
  • Events
  • Stories
  • Publications
  • Galleries
News

News

Close Menu
Events

Events

Close Menu
Stories

Stories

Close Menu
Publications

Publications

Close Menu
Galleries

Galleries

Close Menu
  • Home
  • News, Events & Stories
  • Stories
  • Author Patrick Deneen Discusses Why Liberalism Failed February 20 at Gonzaga

Author Patrick Deneen Discusses 'Why Liberalism Failed' Feb. 20

Patrick Deneen, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame political science professor

February 05, 2019
|
Gonzaga News Service

SPOKANE, Wash. — Patrick Deneen, Ph.D., professor of political science at University of Notre Dame, discusses his recent book “Why Liberalism Failed” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Gonzaga University’s Hemmingson Center Ballroom. The event, presented by Phi Beta Kappa faculty at Gonzaga University, is free and open to the public.

One of the most acclaimed political analysis books of 2018, “Why Liberalism Failed” argues that both contemporary “conservatives” and “progressives” share the same goal, namely liberation of the individual. Thus, he asserts, that what often appear as intractable political disputes between two sides are actually disagreements over preferred means of achieving the same end.

Placing individual liberty at the center of social, political and economic life was the grand achievement of Enlightenment liberalism, a project that became enormously successful. However, Deneen argues, the unfettered pursuit of individual liberty is not sustainable over the long term because it engenders political alienation, environmental degradation, and enormous income inequality, factors that ultimately lead to liberalism’s own destruction.

Deneen’s provocative analysis implies that our current political situation might just be the beginning of the end of liberalism. He offers intriguing paths forward.

“Why Liberalism Failed” has earned praise from a wide variety of leaders and public figures, including Former President Barack Obama, Rod Dreher, senior editor of The American Conservative, Fred Bauer of National Review, and David Brooks of The New York Times.

This is the inaugural lecture of the Phi Beta Kappa Faculty of Gonzaga University. 

Deneen holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a Ph.D. in political science from Rutgers University. Previously, he served as a speechwriter and special adviser to the director of the U.S. Information Agency and has taught at Princeton University and Georgetown University; he joined the Notre Dame faculty in 2012. He is the author and editor of several books and numerous articles and reviews and has delivered invited lectures nationwide and internationally.

For more information contact Kirk Besmer, Gonzaga University professor of philosophy and the Arnold Chair, at besmer@gonzaga.edu or (509)-313-6746.

Share Story
Related Stories
  • Author Patrick Deneen Discusses 'Why Liberalism Failed' Feb. 20
  • Campus Abuzz with Rich Learning Opportunities
  • Phi Beta Kappa Faculty Host Author of "Why Liberalism Failed"
  • Author Adam Becker to Discuss Why Quantum Physics Matters

Categories

  • Academics
  • Political Science
  • News Center

Subscribe

Subscribe to Messages from Gonzaga University


First Name
Last Name
Email Address *

Get the latest news sent to you as soon as it is published. While the frequency of these emails varies, you’ll typically receive between two and five emails per week, depending on the time of year.

A monthly newsletter sent from August through June that highlights some of our best news, stories and events.


Back to Top
Visit
Apply
Give
Quick Links
  • Maps & Directions
  • Employment at GU
  • Emergency Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Title IX
  • Consumer Information
  • ZagMail
  • Contact Us
  • Harassment & Discrimination Policy
  • Virtual Tour
  • myGU Intranet
Gonzaga University
502 East Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0102
(800) 986.9585
A Jesuit, Catholic, Humanistic University
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube