Ten Minutes On... The End of the Liberal Illusion

In this episode of Ten Minutes On…, Guy Burton explores how the liberal order is unraveling both internationally and within the United States. He begins with Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum, highlighting the erosion of the liberal international system and the pragmatic, transactional approach middle powers are now adopting. He then connects this to domestic US politics, examining the expansion of ICE enforcement and rising political polarisation, showing how similar dynamics of power, authority, and declining norms are playing out domestically. By linking these two stories, the episode explores how familiar norms and expectations are changing on the global stage and in American society.