Exeter College alumnus publishes The Liberal Tradition and Political Order

Frank Vibert, Exeter College alumnus (1960, PPE), has published his latest book, The Liberal Tradition and Political Order: Liberalism and the New Authoritarianism, with Edward Elgar Publishing. Released in August 2026, the book explores the relevance of the liberal tradition to contemporary society and considers how liberal values can offer robust opposition to modern forms of authoritarianism. 

Tracing the development of liberalism from its eighteenth-century origins to the present day, Vibert examines some of the challenges facing markets and political institutions in the information age. He challenges the view that liberal individualism is responsible for the rise of authoritarian governments, arguing instead that the abundance of information in modern society has placed new pressures on established institutions. 

The book also considers neo-liberal and post-liberal interpretations of the liberal tradition, alongside questions of constitutionalism, fairness, and political order. Emphasising values including tolerance, moderation, accommodation, and harmony, Vibert explores their continuing importance at a time when political divisions can encourage an increasingly polarised ‘them versus us’ culture. 

The Liberal Tradition and Political Order will be of particular interest to students and academics working in politics, public policy, constitutional studies, and political theory, as well as professionals working in think tanks and NGOs. 

You can find out more about Frank Vibert and his work on his website or purchase The Liberal Tradition and Political Order through Blackwells and other booksellers. 

The front cover of Frank Vibert’s The Liberal Tradition and Political Order: Liberalism and the New Authoritarianism