Postliberalism

Postliberalism represents a recent ideological shift, moving beyond traditional liberalism’s emphasis on individual freedom and neutrality toward a society shaped by substantive, state-endorsed values. This framework rejects the classical liberal vision of a neutral public square, where competing ideas can coexist with minimal state intervention, and instead advances a political system where state and society merge to promote specific moral goals. Postliberalism diverges fundamentally from historic Christianity, both in its understanding of human nature and in its approach to moral and societal governance. Here, we’ll examine the history, ideology, and worldview of postliberalism, critiquing its core tenets using Scripture and historic Christian principles to show that only biblical truth offers a coherent, realistic, and redemptive response to the challenges humanity faces.

The Historical Context and Ideology of Postliberalism

The roots of postliberalism are found in dissatisfaction with classical liberalism’s perceived failure to cultivate moral values and social cohesion. Beginning in the mid-20th century, as traditional social structures weakened and secularism gained traction, some thinkers argued that liberalism’s neutrality led to moral decay and social fragmentation. This disillusionment opened the door for postliberalism, an ideology advocating a new model where the state endorses a particular set of values, often closely tied to the dominant cultural elite’s vision of the “good life.”

In practice, postliberalism seeks to establish a societal framework governed by state-sanctioned ethics, compelling both public and private entities to promote and enforce these values. This approach replaces individual moral autonomy with state-mandated conformity, targeting institutions, corporations, and individuals who resist its moral agenda. Postliberalism thus merges political and social authority, aiming to create a unified society where dissent from sanctioned norms is discouraged or penalized.

Postliberal View of Human Nature

Postliberalism assumes an essentially malleable view of human nature, viewing people as highly influenceable by external factors and thus in need of correction or guidance from societal structures. This worldview downplays the concept of intrinsic human dignity or individual moral agency, regarding people more as products of their environment. The ideological assumption is that, by reshaping social and economic forces, society can mold individuals to embody the ideals the state champions. Postliberalism thus exhibits a quasi-utopian belief in society’s ability to “perfect” or “correct” human behavior through external controls.

This contrasts with the historic Christian view of human nature. Christianity teaches that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), which establishes inherent dignity and worth, yet also affirms the reality of original sin (Romans 3:23). Sin renders human nature morally corrupt and beyond mere external reform. Transformation, according to Scripture, requires an internal renewal accomplished only through Christ’s redeeming work and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Implementation of Postliberal Ideology

Postliberalism operates through a top-down model, integrating political, economic, and social forces to implement its vision. This is achieved through laws and policies that influence institutions, as well as through incentives and penalties that guide corporate and individual behavior. For instance, businesses may be compelled to adopt specific social policies under the guise of “social responsibility,” and dissenting voices may face ostracism or economic sanctions. Through these measures, postliberalism seeks to create a morally homogenous society where the state’s values are the values of all public and private actors, effectively centralizing moral authority within the political sphere.

This approach inherently conflicts with Christian teachings on moral authority and liberty. The Bible affirms that moral authority originates from God alone (James 4:12). Humans are accountable to God’s law above human law (Acts 5:29), and while Christians are called to respect governmental authority (Romans 13:1-7), such authority is limited by God’s supreme rule. True moral transformation, according to Christianity, cannot be legislated by the state; it must arise from a heart regenerated by God’s Spirit.

Postliberalism vs. Clasic Liberalism

Postliberalism, is a reaction against classic liberalism’s perceived moral indifference. It promotes a framework where the state enforces a specific moral or cultural vision, believing that a neutral, open marketplace cannot create a stable or virtuous society on its own. Postliberalism holds that without shared values, society becomes fragmented, requiring the state to embed moral ideals within both public and private institutions.

• Role of the State: The postliberal state is proactive in shaping society’s moral fabric. It may employ regulatory, financial, or cultural pressures to align corporate behavior with state-endorsed ideals. This may involve advancing certain social or moral agendas through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) requirements, corporate diversity mandates, or social responsibility programs.

• Influence on Corporations: Corporations under postliberalism are expected to promote state-aligned social and moral objectives in addition to economic goals. They may face direct or indirect pressure to adopt social policies that reflect the values deemed necessary for a cohesive society, such as environmental stewardship, social equity, or cultural unity.

• Public-Private Partnership: Postliberalism fosters partnerships where corporations act as societal actors promoting the state’s moral vision, not just economic growth. These partnerships may include specific ideological commitments that corporations are expected to endorse as part of their social responsibility.

In short, while classic liberalism prioritizes economic growth with minimal state interference, postliberalism advocates for state intervention to promote a moral or cultural agenda.

Summary of Differences

So, while both systems influence the private sector, classic liberalism emphasizes economic freedom with minimal state intervention, whereas postliberalism pushes for a moral and social alignment between corporate practices and state-endorsed values, often at the cost of full corporate autonomy. This makes postliberalism more akin to a system of moral corporatism, where the state enlists corporate entities as partners in advancing a specific social order, diverging from classic liberalism’s economically-centered, ideologically-neutral stance.

Postliberalism vs National Socialsism (Fascism)

Postliberalism and National Socialism (Fascism) both advocate for a significant role of the state in guiding or controlling industry, yet they differ in philosophy and method. While both systems seek to transcend classical liberalism’s laissez-faire approach by embedding the state’s ideological goals within corporate operations, their motivations and means for control reflect distinct ideological foundations.

Postliberalism emphasizes state intervention to uphold and promote a particular moral or social vision, predominantly shaped by progressive values in today’s political climate, though it is also endorsed by some traditionalist conservatives, particularly within Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian circles. In postliberal thought, the state assumes an active role in shaping society’s values and behavior, with the expectation that corporations and institutions conform to these state-endorsed standards.

• Method of Influence: Rather than direct control, postliberalism influences corporations through regulatory policies, incentives, and partnerships that align corporate activity with state-defined moral or social goals. Mechanisms like Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, social responsibility mandates, and policies on inclusion and diversity reflect a postliberal approach. Corporations may also be required or incentivized to offer health insurance that covers abortion and "gender-affirming" surgeries, regardless of the corporate leadership's beliefs or the diversity of employee values. This aligns corporate benefits with broader state goals surrounding healthcare rights and access.
  
  Corporations remain privately owned and operated but are expected to promote social ideals consistent with the state’s vision. Corporations are often encouraged to support or fund lobbying efforts aligned with state-endorsed causes, such as climate policy, criminal justice reform, or health initiatives, and they are frequently pressured to withdraw financial support from groups that oppose or challenge these agendas. Additionally, corporations may face pressure to adopt policies that align with state goals on data security, transparency, and user control, including monitoring data to align with social objectives, such as preventing “hate speech” or tracking carbon emissions. Corporations are increasingly encouraged or required to offer training programs in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or similar initiatives that align employees with state-endorsed perspectives on social justice, equity, and history.
   
• Ideological Foundation: Postliberalism is motivated by the belief that liberal neutrality has failed to maintain a cohesive, morally grounded society. It seeks to remedy this by embedding moral directives into both public and private sectors, assuming that a stable society requires shared values enforced through all major societal institutions, including industry.
   
• Role of Corporations: Corporations are viewed as partners in the moral and social shaping of society. While their independence is somewhat maintained, they are influenced to serve broader state-endorsed values, often at the cost of total autonomy in matters affecting social or cultural norms. This framework pushes businesses to act as extensions of the state’s social vision.

National Socialism (Fascism)

National Socialism, or Fascism, takes a more direct and authoritarian approach to state control over industry. It maintains private ownership but imposes state objectives on businesses, with industries expected to operate in strict alignment with nationalistic and ideological goals, such as military self-sufficiency, national pride, and economic autarky (self-sufficiency). Unlike postliberalism’s nuanced, collaborative approach, National Socialism relies on direct oversight and command.

• Method of Control: In Fascism, state control over industry is far-reaching, with the government dictating production, priorities, and management of resources to meet national goals. Corporations are required to align with the state’s nationalist and militaristic vision, and their autonomy is significantly restricted. Business leaders who resist are replaced with loyalists or coerced through penalties, creating a state-centered economy with little tolerance for dissent.

• Ideological Foundation: Fascism is built on the belief that the state embodies the ultimate authority and represents the collective will of the nation. The state views itself as an organic entity, responsible for ensuring social cohesion and strength through unity. To this end, economic freedom is subordinated entirely to state and national interests.

• Role of Corporations: Corporations are essentially state instruments, directed to serve ideological, economic, and militaristic goals. Private ownership is permitted, but loyalty to the state is paramount. Corporate leaders are expected to align their actions with the state’s objectives, and their freedom is limited by the need to advance the collective good as defined by the government.

Key Comparisons and Contrasts

Postliberalism, while avoiding overt authoritarian methods, functions as a form of top-down enforcement that subtly but effectively shapes social and corporate behavior through soft coercion. Unlike classical liberalism’s neutral stance, postliberalism expects alignment with its values; dissent can lead to the exclusion from privileges, access, and opportunities—creating a controlled social environment where compliance is rewarded, and non-conformity quietly penalized.

Top-Down Control in Postliberalism: Ideological Enforcement by "Soft Power"

Postliberalism does not use overt state commands in the way traditional authoritarian regimes do, but it employs a blend of social, regulatory, and financial levers to achieve ideological alignment. It operates under a system of soft power, subtly compelling conformity without formal declarations of control. Through mechanisms like Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, diversity policies, and expectations of “corporate social responsibility,” corporations and individuals are incentivized to align with the state’s social ideals. These tools create a controlled environment where compliance is not forced by law but is implicitly necessary for full participation in society’s economic and social life.

The result is similar to China’s social credit system—although more culturally embedded than technologically enforced. In China’s system, individuals and businesses gain or lose privileges based on their adherence to the state’s values. In a postliberal society, businesses and individuals face similar pressures: comply with state-endorsed values or risk losing access to resources, platforms, and even reputational standing.

The Deceptive Nature of "Subtle" Enforcement

This alignment is, in many ways, a coercive social order. Postliberalism’s reliance on incentives, “voluntary” standards, and cultural expectations can mask its top-down nature. Yet, the cumulative effect of these policies leaves little room for true dissent. Those who do not adhere to the dominant ideology may find themselves marginalized, restricted, or, as in many instances, economically penalized.

This subtle enforcement, while not as visible as a militarized regime, is no less pervasive. By blurring the line between public and private spheres, postliberalism allows the state to shape and dictate beliefs indirectly but effectively, all while maintaining a façade of choice. This is where the danger lies—in the ability of the state to dictate what one ought to believe or prioritize, even if presented under the guise of shared societal values or moral unity.

Why Classical Liberalism Opposes This Role for the State

Classical liberalism was grounded in the conviction that the state exists to protect individual rights, not to shape individuals’ beliefs. From a classical liberal perspective, the state’s only legitimate role is to uphold justice, protect personal freedoms, and ensure that citizens have the freedom to form their own beliefs and values. The state should neither impose nor incentivize any specific moral or ideological framework; its role is limited to protecting each individual’s right to pursue life and liberty freely.

When the state enforces an ideological standard, whether directly or subtly, it crosses into the domain of conscience and personal conviction, infringing on individual autonomy. This is why classic liberalism treats belief as beyond the state’s reach. In a truly free society, belief is shaped by persuasion, open dialogue, and voluntary association, not by government-endorsed standards.

The Biblical Perspective: Freedom of Conscience

From a biblical perspective, the idea of the state enforcing ideological alignment conflicts with the doctrine of freedom of conscience. Scripture upholds that moral and spiritual belief cannot be compelled by external forces but must arise from a heart turned toward truth. Faith itself is a voluntary act that cannot be coerced (Romans 14:5; John 4:23-24), and any attempt by the state to enforce belief treads on territory reserved for God. As Paul writes, “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:12)—a responsibility that cannot be dictated by the state.

The Bible also warns against conflating governmental power with divine authority. When Peter and the apostles were commanded to stop preaching in Jesus’ name, they responded, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), recognizing that ultimate allegiance belongs to God, not human authorities. A state that presumes to determine belief or impose values beyond the bounds of justice intrudes upon the realm of conscience, a space where Scripture places God’s authority above all.

Conclusion: Subtle Coercion is Still Coercion

Postliberalism’s “soft” enforcement methods are no less coercive simply because they’re subtle. Whether it’s through incentives, social pressure, or selective access to privileges, the effect remains the same—a narrowing of acceptable beliefs and values to those endorsed by the state. This approach represents a fundamental departure from both classical liberal and biblical principles, which uphold the sanctity of individual conscience and the importance of personal accountability to truth.

The subtlety of postliberalism’s control mechanisms may even make them more insidious, as they create the illusion of choice while restricting true freedom. This form of ideological enforcement requires careful scrutiny, as it represents a quiet erosion of individual liberty and an encroachment upon the private domain of belief—territory that belongs neither to the state nor to any ideology but to God alone.

Critiquing Postliberal Presuppositions with Biblical Truth

1. Human Nature is Not Perfectible by State Control: Postliberalism’s presupposition that human nature can be improved through external forces underestimates the depth of human sin and rebellion against God. Scripture teaches that sin is not merely behavioral but a heart condition that taints every aspect of our being (Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 7:18). Human nature is broken beyond what political, social, or economic systems can repair. Only Christ’s redemptive work can address humanity’s sin, giving believers a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26).

2. True Justice and Moral Good Cannot Be Imposed Top-Down: Postliberalism’s approach of enforcing morality from the top-down ignores the role of individual conscience and the importance of voluntary submission to God’s moral law. Biblical justice and goodness flow from the heart and are made evident in actions inspired by faith and love for God and neighbor (Micah 6:8, Matthew 22:37-40). Compelling outward conformity without inner transformation does not produce true righteousness; it fosters legalism and suppresses true moral agency.

3. The Role of the State is Limited in God’s Design: While the Bible acknowledges the role of government in maintaining order and punishing wrongdoing (Romans 13:1-5), it does not endorse the state’s authority to control every aspect of moral or spiritual life. Historic Christianity recognizes a dual responsibility of church and state, wherein the state administers justice in civil matters, while the church bears the responsibility of teaching moral truths and guiding individuals in spiritual growth (Matthew 22:21). The postliberal tendency to make the state the arbiter of moral values usurps the role of the church and disrespects God’s division of authority.

4. The Imposition of Ideology Undermines True Community: A society rooted in coerced conformity to state values does not build authentic community; it produces mere uniformity. True community, from a biblical perspective, is built on mutual love, respect, and accountability (1 John 4:7-12). The church embodies this by calling believers to follow God’s standards voluntarily, with love for one another and unity in Christ (Colossians 3:14-15). Christianity fosters genuine social cohesion by transforming hearts, leading people to serve and honor one another out of reverence for God.

The Bible’s Superior Response to Worldly Ideologies

Christianity uniquely addresses the root of humanity’s problems: sin. Instead of attempting to enforce behavior through external controls, biblical truth teaches that true change comes from within, through a personal relationship with God in Christ. Postliberalism, like other ideologies, seeks to create a perfect society by addressing symptoms, but it fails to diagnose the disease accurately. Only the gospel can provide the radical transformation needed, as it brings individuals into alignment with God’s will by changing their desires, motivations, and actions from the heart outward (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The biblical worldview offers the only true answer to the challenges of human nature and society. God’s moral law, revealed in Scripture, provides an objective standard for justice, equity, and love. Moreover, the gospel provides hope and redemption, offering a path not to coercive conformity but to joyful submission to God’s good design. In Christ, we find not only the explanation for humanity’s failings but the power to overcome them—an answer that postliberalism, despite its ambition, can never achieve.

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Related Resources
The Rise of the Postliberal State: How Political Interests Have Subsumed Economic and Financial Sectors @Monergism
Classical Liberalism vs. Postliberalism: The Challenge of True Neutrality and the Risks of Soft Totalitarianism @Monergism
10 Dangers of Statism @Monergism
Statism - The belief that the state should hold centralized control over society and individual lives, often prioritizing state authority as the primary solution to human and social issues.