Why liberalism has failed | John Gray on civilisation, morality, and the illusion of progress

The myth of human progress—the belief that scientific advancement inevitably leads to moral and cultural improvement—is a dangerous illusion that ignores the cyclical, often destructive nature of history. While scientific knowledge grows, moral and political wisdom is easily lost, as demonstrated by the recurring failures of social engineering and the fragility of societal stability. Political life is not a project of universal emancipation but a series of temporary, partial remedies for persistent human evils. Contemporary political crises, including the rise of populism, stem from the social disruption caused by liberal policies that disregard the contradictory, complex nature of human needs. True hope lies not in the expectation of progress or perfection, but in the capacity to live a meaningful life despite the inherent instability and unsolvable problems of the human condition.