Beyond Liberalism? (Vera Speaking)
				Source		MAIN PATH: Ann
		Ann	John			Malik

Yes, liberal philosophy and liberal society have changed and evolved over the years. They have generally evolved for the better. All of that is true. But we are now faced with a new situation. The question now is whether we can solve our problems within a liberal framework or whether we need to transcend liberalism and create a new social philosophy for a new kind of society?

The current welfare liberalism does much more to help the disadvantaged than the older classical liberalism of the 19^th century. But it still has limitations that are difficult to overcome while remaining within the liberal tradition you describe.

• The current form of liberalism leaves most private centers of power intact. In other words, it still places great weight on the public/private distinction (where "public" means "state" or "governmental"). It allows private actors to continue to humiliate and deny the full humanity of women, African Americans, and many others.

• The current liberalism emphasizes free speech as the foundation of democracy. It protects virtually any content. We need restrictions because of the harm done by some content. Racist thought should not be protected. There is a conflict here between free speech rights on the one hand and equality and welfare on the other. The older view of rights advanced equality and welfare in many cases, but now it prevents further progress.

• The current liberalism provides only formal equality of rights and equality before the law. We need substantive freedom and equality to break the back of the existing racist and sexist social hierarchy.
  

I think we must go beyond these limits if we are to end racism and sexism in America. In particular, we must go beyond the current free speech doctrine. I am convinced that "an absolutist first amendment response to hate speech has the effect of perpetuating racism."

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