David Marquand's Deep Liberalism

Abstract David Marquand's deep liberalism was both political and personal. His advocacy of dissent signalled a set of values endemic to the liberal mind: querying, challenging, demanding intellectual and social accountability, taking on stultifying establishments. His idea of community was based on social inclusivity, drawing on the new liberalism of the early twentieth century that facilitated individual potential through an enabling, democratic welfare state. That version of community, he contended, had ideologically prevailed over a Labourite socialism that fostered a dichotomy of ‘us’ against ‘them’. He rejected the tribal hegemony of British politics, as well as the abstract egocentricity of neoliberalism. Later, Marquand endorsed a radical civic republicanism. A commitment to human growth, individual liberty and the preaching of mutual political trust were the qualities that he valued most. Not least, Marquand's generosity in overlooking flaws in others and his willingness to consider the merits of opposing arguments embodied his living liberalism.