The paper argues that liberalism’s survival depends on rebuilding a broad social coalition anchored in workers seeking stability and a dynamic middle class and forming stable alliances with genuinely democratic partners while rejecting agreements with extremist forces.
This policy brief examines why liberalism remains influential in Europe even as populist and ultra-conservative movements gain ground. Drawing on empirical cases from Italy, Spain, France, and Germany, it shows how liberal policies have often been adopted by governments that do not identify as liberal, while conservative actors increasingly present anti-liberal measures under a “liberal” label. This misuse has eroded liberalism’s social foundations.
The paper argues that liberalism’s survival depends on rebuilding a broad social coalition anchored in workers seeking stability and a dynamic middle class and forming stable alliances with genuinely democratic partners while rejecting agreements with extremist forces. It calls for renewed civic and political education to strengthen social mobility, openness, and citizen participation, positioning liberalism not as a defensive posture but as a proactive force for an open society.