Across the West, liberalism is in crisis — not just from its ideological opponents, but from within. As political movements once grounded in individual liberty, free speech, and open debate become increasingly consumed by identity politics and moral absolutism, a growing number of self-described liberals are finding themselves politically homeless. Some, like commentator Dave Rubin, have gravitated toward the political right — not because their values changed, but because the left no longer appeared to uphold them. This realignment has created new alliances — but also new contradictions.
Nowhere are these tensions more visible than on the political right, where classical liberals, libertarians, populists, and cultural conservatives compete for influence. While united in opposition to progressive overreach, they are divided by fundamental disagreements about the role of the state, the place of tradition, and the limits of pluralism. For socially — liberal or secular thinkers, the question is becoming more acute: can the right remain a safe harbour for dissenting voices, or is it evolving into a mirror image of the ideological rigidity it once opposed? In the Australian context, where similar debates are beginning to shape our centre-right, these questions demand urgent attention.
Rubin’s trajectory sits squarely within this debate. As an openly gay commentator with classical liberal instincts, his welcome — and at times rejection — within conservative circles illustrates both the appeal and the limits of these new ideological alliances. His story invites reflection on whether liberal values can truly survive by aligning with movements that often sit uneasily with them.
Is the future of liberalism found in new alliances—or in holding the old ones to account? And can any political tribe be trusted to defend freedom when it becomes inconvenient? Can defenders of liberalism shape the future of the right, or will they once again find themselves politically homeless?
