Book · 2023 · Political Science
Liberalism against Itself
Cold War Intellectuals and the Making of Our Times
Why people recommend it
Liberalism against Itself by Samuel Moyn is an intellectual history that examines the trajectory of Cold War liberalism and the ideological shifts that shaped modern political thought. On The Ezra Klein Show in May 2026, Helena Rosenblatt recommended this book during a segment where she shared her top reading suggestions. Rosenblatt noted that Moyn's work effectively built upon themes she explored in her own writing, specifically focusing on why modern liberalism may have taken a wrong turn during and after the Cold War era. She expressed strong admiration for Moyn's intellectual contributions and indicated that she looked forward to his future publications. By endorsing this text, Rosenblatt directed listeners toward a critical reassessment of mid-century political philosophy and the historical limitations of liberal ideology. The recommendation served to deepen the episode's exploration of political theory, offering an academic yet accessible entry point for those seeking to understand the historical roots of contemporary political polarization and ideological debates within Western democracies.
Who recommended it
- Helena Rosenblatt Recommended
Helena Rosenblatt — 1 mention
“I don't know if you know his work. I think he's coming out with a new book that I'm looking forward to, but I would like to recommend liberalism against itself, which really picks up on some of the themes also for my last chapter and it's about Cold War liberalism and sort of why we went wrong in the”