谈及美国，人们常想到自由、民主、机会之地等词汇，这些构成美国对外形象，塑造世界认 知。但观察当下美国，总统权力扩张、贸易保护主义抬头、民粹主义泛滥等现象，与"自由 灯塔"形象不符，让人质疑美国是否真是自由主义典范。 普利策奖、班克罗夫特奖获奖者史蒂文・哈恩在《自由之困》中，以严谨研究和细腻笔触呈 现不同的美国历史画卷，帮助我们从历史根源理解美国当下困境。该书打破传统自由主义主 导的美国历史叙事，指出非自由主义贯穿美国250年历史，是塑造其政治发展的结构性部 分，扎根于国家建构、法律制度与社会秩序。 今年7月，中信出版集团邀请金灿荣教授、李翔及译者袁野举办《自由之困》新书分享会。 对谈中，深入探讨美国为何一面标榜"自由灯塔"，一面深陷非自由困境，如何从历史看清其 表象下的复杂肌理，读懂当下美国社会撕裂与制度困境的缘由。对话旨在以新视角理解美 国，也为思考自身社会发展提供镜鉴。 以下内容基于金灿荣教授的讲述整理而成： 01美国的双重性：自由主义与非自由主义的长期并存 美国标榜自己是世界上最自由的国家。最早讲这个特点其实是法国人，就是托克维尔，他到美国转了一 圈，写了一个《论美国的民主》，说美国这个国家跟欧洲不同， ...

Core Argument - The book "The Crisis of Freedom" by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Steven Hahn argues that illiberalism has been a fundamental aspect of American history, challenging the notion that the U.S. has always been a beacon of liberalism [1][4][25] Group 1: Historical Context of Liberalism and Illiberalism - The connection between America and liberalism has been long-standing, particularly in political and rights contexts, forming the basis of America's unique historical narrative [3][4] - Critics from both the left and right have pointed out the limitations and failures of liberalism, suggesting that it is often intertwined with illiberal practices [4][5] - Illiberalism has emerged as a significant challenge to liberal norms, gaining recognition only recently as a concept that questions the established liberal democratic standards [4][5] Group 2: Characteristics of Illiberalism - Illiberalism is associated with hierarchical orders, elite rule, limited political participation, militarism, and a clear delineation of enemies, often mocking liberal ideals [5][6] - The book emphasizes that illiberalism is not merely a reaction to liberalism but has deep historical roots that predate the emergence of liberal thought [5][9] - Illiberalism encompasses a range of political and cultural ideas that have shaped American society, often manifesting in various forms of authority and community dynamics [10][11] Group 3: Evolution of Illiberalism in American History - The book traces the historical trajectory of illiberalism in America, highlighting its persistent features such as community dominance, suspicion of outsiders, and a desire for cultural homogeneity [10][11] - Illiberalism has been a central force in shaping political and cultural dynamics, influencing the nature of governance and societal relations throughout American history [11][12] - The narrative of illiberalism is presented as a complex interplay of social practices and political authority, rather than a mere opposition to liberalism [19][20] Group 4: Contemporary Implications - The book aims to reveal the fragile foundations of liberal principles and the significant obstacles faced by movements advocating for rights and inclusion [21][22] - It discusses how illiberalism has been intertwined with right-wing politics in America, although it does not equate illiberalism solely with conservatism [22][23] - The exploration of illiberalism in the context of social justice movements highlights the ongoing struggle for inclusion and empowerment among marginalized groups [24][25]