Marcel Gauchet, historian and philosopher: "Progressism has played against its own side and turned its back on the spirit of democracy"

When Progressivism Turns Against Democracy. Imagine a world where the very movements meant to expand freedom and democracy end up undermining them. This is the provocative argument at the heart of an interview with historian and philosopher Marcel Gauchet, who explores the fate of progressivism from the intellectual upheaval of May 1968 to the present era shaped by figures like Donald Trump. Gauchet's perspective is rooted in a life spent dissecting the evolution of democracy and secular society. He recalls participating in the vibrant, spontaneous wing of May 1968, a movement united by a deep rejection of totalitarian tendencies, whether communist or otherwise. This moment was marked by a desire to reshape society, not through rigid party structures, but through a free-form, pluralistic search for genuine democratic spirit. But decades later, Gauchet identifies a dramatic reversal. The ideals that once fueled collective action and hope, he argues, have devolved into a form of depoliticization. Instead of empowering citizens, the triumph of neoliberal individualism and a libertarian focus on social issues have led to an erosion of the sense of common purpose. Progressive movements, he suggests, have paradoxically turned their backs on the core of democracy: the ability to confront uncomfortable realities together and to forge shared solutions. The interview traces how the radical energy of the sixties, which sought to liberate individuals from oppressive systems, eventually contributed to a culture where personal freedom eclipses collective responsibility. This shift, according to Gauchet, has paved the way for ideological polarization and a retreat from the public sphere, leaving democracy vulnerable to populist upheavals and strongman politics. What emerges is a portrait of a society caught between the promises of progress and the perils of fragmentation. Gauchet's reflections challenge us to reconsider what it means to be progressive today and whether true democracy can survive without a renewed commitment to political engagement and shared realities.