but by the failure of half the country to know what’s good for them.
This is the underlying philosophy of liberalism. They, because of their smarts and understanding of the complications of life, do know what’s best for people even if they themselves don’t
IMHO
When you look at the driving core of liberalism - we know what is best for you - and their distain for any new thoughts is there any difference between them and the absolute monarchies leading up to the 18th century?