‘Contemporary liberal thought has much to take advantage of in the ideas of Ortega y Gasset. Above all, to rediscover that, contrary to what those people, bent on reducing liberalism to an economic recipe for free markets, fair play, low tariffs, controlled government spending and the privatisation of business, suppose, liberalism is, above all, an attitude towards life and society based on tolerance and respect, on a love of culture, a desire for coexistence with others, and on a firm defence of liberty as a supreme value which is at the same time the driving force of material progress, of science, arts and letters, and of that civilisation that made individual sovereignty possible, with its independence, rights and responsibilities in eternal balance with those of others, defended by a legal system that guarantees coexistence with diversity. Economic freedom is a key part of the liberal doctrine, but certainly not the only one. We of course regret that many liberals of Ortega’s generation were unaware of this. However, it is no less serious to reduce liberalism to an economic policy of market functioning with a minimum of government intervention. Are not the numerous unsuccessful attempts at liberalising the economies of Latin America, Africa and Europe in recent decades flagrant proof that economic formulas can fail spectacularly if they are not supported by a body of ideas that justifies them and makes them acceptable to the public? The liberal doctrine is a culture in the broadest sense of the word and Ortega y Gasset’s essays reflect this in a stimulating, lucid manner on every page.’

Vertaling Goedele De Sterck