Liberals across the democratic world received a much-needed confidence boost this past weekend when Viktor Orban's Fidesz party suffered a sweeping electoral defeat after 16 long years in power in Hungary. Where once Orban appeared unbeatable (as much because of his popularity as his numerous efforts to rig the electoral system against any and all challengers), both he and his allies around the world suddenly look not only beatable but severely weakened. The answer, I believe, is no'though this shouldn't be demoralizing. Both sides of the divide are prone to viewing political conflict in zero-sum existential terms: Either the populist-nationalist right is on the verge of a final victory that will issue in a 'regime change' that vanquishes liberalism once and for all. Or else liberals are approaching their own decisive triumph that will drive a stake through the heart of the populist-nationalist right for good. Neither outlook is correct. The truth is that since the mid-2010s, the...
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