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Western liberalism declines across multiple nations

Centrist parties see falling approval ratings, as populist movements gain strength.

July 28, 2025 at 11:35 AM

Centrist and centre-left parties struggle to regain support amidst rising populism.

Western liberalism faces serious challenges

Western liberalism is currently experiencing a significant decline as centrist and centre-left parties face dire approval ratings. In the United States, for example, President Joe Biden's popularity has dwindled to just one-third of Americans approving of his leadership. This trend is echoed across many Western nations, where populist parties are gaining ground. In Germany, the far-right Alternative for Germany party is polling closely with the traditional parties, and in France, Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National is leading the charts, despite her disqualification from the upcoming presidential election. These developments reflect a troubling trend for liberal parties, which struggle to present a cohesive and affirmative vision to voters, instead often focusing on criticizing their right-leaning opponents.

Key Takeaways

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Approval ratings for centrist parties are alarmingly low across the West.

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Populist parties are gaining popularity at the expense of traditional liberal factions.

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Internal divisions complicate reform and regain footing for the left.

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Liberal parties are seen as lacking a clear and affirmative vision for the future.

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The pandemic experience has deeply influenced young voters' perspectives on liberal values.

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A return to liberalism requires a fundamental self-assessment and renewal of purpose.

"The positive case for liberal democracy in today’s world is still waiting to be heard."

This highlights the failure of liberal parties to promote their values in a compelling way.

"Liberal parties often focus on criticizing their opponents instead of presenting a unified vision."

This illustrates the core issue facing contemporary liberalism.

"The road to recovery starts with looking in the mirror."

Refers to the need for self-reflection within liberal parties.

The decline of Western liberalism illustrates critical fractures within centrist and leftist political movements. Faced with challenges from populist figures, established parties often lack a clear vision and are bogged down by internal disputes over identity politics and economic policies. The Democrats continue to grapple with questions about leadership, relevance, and their connection to the working-class electorate. Moreover, the wariness towards immigration and economic change signals broader unease among voters that liberal parties have failed to address adequately. The result is a growing disillusionment that poses a significant risk to the future of liberal democracy.