Law and Illiberalism

The law and illiberalism explore the relationship between law and liberalism, examining the anti-liberalism of neoliberalism, the weaponization of free speech, the role of the administrative state, the assault on facts, truth, and reality, and the rise of conspiracism. Contributors include Sharon Krause, Elizabeth Anker, Jeremy Kessler, Lee McIntyre, and Nancy Rosenblum.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 26 August 2022
Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press

The relationship between law and liberalism is a complex and multifaceted one that has been the subject of much scholarly inquiry. While liberalism and its expansion of rights are often seen as essential components of a democratic society, the study of law and illiberalism is a relatively recent undertaking that has taken on increased urgency in light of the rise of authoritarian powers around the world. This volume, edited by Sharon Krause and Elizabeth Anker, includes six penetrating essays that explore the dynamics of the law and illiberal quests for power.

The first essay, written by Sharon Krause, examines the anti-liberalism of neoliberalism and its impact on democratic societies. Krause argues that neoliberalism has undermined the principles of liberal democracy by promoting economic inequality, reducing government intervention, and undermining the power of labor unions. She also notes that neoliberalism has been used as a tool by authoritarian regimes to justify their repression of political opposition and civil society.

The second essay, written by Elizabeth Anker, explores the weaponization of free speech by authoritarian regimes. Anker argues that the rise of social media and other digital platforms has created new opportunities for authoritarian governments to control and manipulate public discourse. She also notes that the weaponization of free speech has been used to suppress political opposition, intimidate journalists, and undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions.

The third essay, written by Jeremy Kessler, examines the role of the administrative state in current crises of liberal democracy. Kessler argues that the administrative state has become increasingly powerful and autonomous, and that this has led to a decline in democratic accountability and a rise in authoritarianism. He also notes that the administrative state has been used as a tool by authoritarian regimes to suppress political opposition and control public discourse.

The fourth essay, written by Lee McIntyre, explores the broad and unstoppable assault on facts, truth, and reality. McIntyre argues that the rise of conspiracy theories and misinformation has created a climate in which it is difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction, and that this has been used by authoritarian regimes to undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions and promote their own agenda.

The fifth essay, written by Nancy Rosenblum, examines the rise of conspiracism leading up to the Capitol insurrection. Rosenblum argues that the rise of conspiracism has been fueled by a combination of factors, including social media, political polarization, and a sense of disillusionment with mainstream politics. She also notes that the rise of conspiracism has been used by authoritarian regimes to undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions and promote their own agenda.

In addition to the editors, contributors to this volume include Sharon Krause, Elizabeth Anker, Jeremy Kessler, Lee McIntyre, and Nancy Rosenblum. Each of these essays provides a valuable insight into the complex relationship between law and liberalism, and into the challenges that democratic societies face in the face of authoritarianism.

Overall, this volume is a must-read for anyone interested in the study of law and liberalism, and in the challenges that democratic societies face in the face of authoritarianism. The essays in this volume provide a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the issues at hand, and offer a range of practical solutions for promoting democratic values and protecting human rights.
The relationship between law and liberalism is a complex and multifaceted one that has been the subject of much scholarly inquiry. While liberalism and its expansion of rights are often seen as essential components of a democratic society, the study of law and illiberalism is a relatively recent undertaking that has taken on increased urgency in light of the rise of authoritarian powers around the world. This volume, edited by Sharon Krause and Elizabeth Anker, includes six penetrating essays that explore the dynamics of the law and illiberal quests for power.

The first essay, written by Sharon Krause, examines the anti-liberalism of neoliberalism and its impact on democratic societies. Krause argues that neoliberalism has undermined the principles of liberal democracy by promoting economic inequality, reducing government intervention, and undermining the power of labor unions. She also notes that neoliberalism has been used as a tool by authoritarian regimes to justify their repression of political opposition and civil society.

The second essay, written by Elizabeth Anker, explores the weaponization of free speech by authoritarian regimes. Anker argues that the rise of social media and other digital platforms has created new opportunities for authoritarian governments to control and manipulate public discourse. She also notes that the weaponization of free speech has been used to suppress political opposition, intimidate journalists, and undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions.

The third essay, written by Jeremy Kessler, examines the role of the administrative state in current crises of liberal democracy. Kessler argues that the administrative state has become increasingly powerful and autonomous, and that this has led to a decline in democratic accountability and a rise in authoritarianism. He also notes that the administrative state has been used as a tool by authoritarian regimes to suppress political opposition and control public discourse.

The fourth essay, written by Lee McIntyre, explores the broad and unstoppable assault on facts, truth, and reality. McIntyre argues that the rise of conspiracy theories and misinformation has created a climate in which it is difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction, and that this has been used by authoritarian regimes to undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions and promote their own agenda.

The fifth essay, written by Nancy Rosenblum, examines the rise of conspiracism leading up to the Capitol insurrection. Rosenblum argues that the rise of conspiracism has been fueled by a combination of factors, including social media, political polarization, and a sense of disillusionment with mainstream politics. She also notes that the rise of conspiracism has been used by authoritarian regimes to undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions and promote their own agenda.

In addition to the editors, contributors to this volume include Sharon Krause, Elizabeth Anker, Jeremy Kessler, Lee McIntyre, and Nancy Rosenblum. Each of these essays provides a valuable insight into the complex relationship between law and liberalism, and into the challenges that democratic societies face in the face of authoritarianism.

Overall, this volume is a must-read for anyone interested in the study of law and liberalism, and in the challenges that democratic societies face in the face of authoritarianism. The essays in this volume provide a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the issues at hand, and offer a range of practical solutions for promoting democratic values and protecting human rights.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781625346698