The discussion at the Stockdale Center addressed civic virtue, its decline, and ways to cultivate it in liberal democracies. Peter Berkowitz critiqued McIntyre’s views on liberalism, arguing virtues like civility and tolerance are compatible with democracy. Yuval Levin emphasized the role of institutions—families, schools, and religious communities—in fostering these virtues, while warning of the current institutional failures in forming responsible citizens. Both speakers highlighted education’s critical role in counteracting liberalism’s excesses and promoting civic engagement.
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