Virtue Authoritarianism: Insights from Orwell’s <i>1984</i>

Abstract This paper examines a recent form of authoritarianism within liberal democratic societies which I call ‘virtue authoritarianism’. This autocratic movement manifests in both a left- and right-wing form, as mirror images of each other, and undermines liberal values within longstanding liberal democracies. Their motive is to force their ‘morally virtuous’ visions of a utopian society upon all citizens. Virtue authoritarians are motivated by the belief that their movements are justified and necessary as they are founded on honourable and righteous motivations and goals, either to bring the society back to a virtuous golden age (right-wing version) or to drive society towards a morally mandated progressive utopia (left-wing version). This paper, firstly, explores the nature of virtue authoritarianism by setting out its nature, aims and methods. Secondly, it offers some thoughts about resisting virtue authoritarianism by suggesting two ways in which liberal democracies could be protected; namely, to reconceptualise fundamental liberal values such as freedom of speech, and to treat the doctrine of liberalism as a fighting creed so developing a more robust and sustained defence against autocratic forces within it.