Between a Rock and a Hard Place: How to Renew Liberalism? – A conversation with Yascha Mounk & Jaroslaw Kuisz
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Invitation to the expert discussion “Liberalism and its Critics”
Between a Rock and a Hard Place – How to Renew Liberalism?
A conversation with Yascha Mounk & Jaroslaw Kuisz
Date: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. (doors open at 5.45 p.m.)
Place: Salon, Zentrum Liberale Moderne, Reinhardtstraße 15, 10117 Berlin
Liberalism is under pressure—both politically and intellectually. In our new series, “Liberalism and Its Critics,” which is part of the broader publication project “Vordenker der liberalen Moderne” (Thought Leaders of Liberal Modernity), we want to examine the critiques of liberalism and explore its vulnerabilities.
Our upcoming event with Professor Yascha Mounk (Johns Hopkins University) focuses on the challenges to liberalism amid increasing radicalization. In his bestseller “The Identity Trap,” Yascha Mounk argues that liberalism must find a position between populism and what is known as “wokeism.”
Exactly one year after President Donald Trump’s re-election, we want to discuss responses to the anti-liberal challenge. To what extent have anti-liberal tendencies of the postmodern left contributed to the anti-liberal attack from the right? Are we witnessing the return of old ideologies in new guises, or are we facing entirely new constellations? What can we do from a transatlantic perspective to defend liberal democracy in the 21st century? And how can liberal ideas and politics move out of the defensive in a rapidly changing political landscape?
Yasha Mounk’s new book is, in many ways, a call to preserve liberal democracy in the 21st century with wisdom and clarity. We cordially invite you to participate in this discussion and join us in reflecting on the future of liberalism.
The conversation will take place in English. Questions in German are also welcome.
Please register using the registration button above.
We look forward to your participation.
Sincerely,
LibDem Team
