Patrick J. Deneen

Patrick J. Deneen is a political theorist and a leading conservative intellectual of our time, known for his critiques of liberalism and his advocacy for a return to traditional, community-centred values. A professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame, he gained widespread attention with his 2018 book Why Liberalism Failed, in which he argues that liberalism, by prioritizing individual autonomy over a shared moral order, has eroded civic life and led to social fragmentation. The book was highly recommended by President Obama for its insights into the loss of meaning and community. Deneen’s 2023 follow-up, Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future, outlines a vision for postliberal political order rooted in the common good. Deneen challenges both progressive orthodoxy and market-driven libertarianism and is of key influence to the new wave of conservative political thought — most notably to Vice President J.D. Vance, who has publicly expressed his admiration for Deneen’s work.