Golden State Today

In a recent episode of Berkeley Talks, New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik delved into the essence of liberalism and its significance in sustaining liberal democracies. Speaking at a UC Berkeley event in April, Gopnik emphasized that liberal democracy relies on two fundamental pillars: free and fair elections, and the existence of open institutions where individuals can convene and engage in discourse without overt supervision.

Gopnik highlighted that spaces such as coffeehouses, parks, and even zoos serve as "commonplace civilization" arenas that facilitate democratic processes. He explained that these secondary institutions are not explicitly political but provide environments where people learn coexistence, mutual toleration, and collaboration with those from diverse backgrounds.

“What makes liberalism distinct is a perpetual commitment to reform,” Gopnik stated. He argued that this continuous dedication to reform is essential because circles of compassion inevitably reach their limits. “People get exhausted by the search for perpetual reform,” he said. “But we have to be committed to reform because our circles of compassion, no matter how we try to broaden them, come to an end.”

Gopnik concluded by urging individuals to consistently refocus their attention on others and expand their circles of compassion.

The event took place on April 24 and was sponsored by UC Berkeley’s Townsend Center for the Humanities with support from Humanities West, San Francisco.