ABSTRACT
To tell the history of illiberalism, this article traces the meaning of the words “illiberal” and “illiberalism.” Beginning in Ancient Rome until the eighteenth century, the words were mostly used to describe the ignoble characteristics of an individual; over time they were expanded to describes things, such as intolerant religions and, eventually, political systems. “Illiberalism” was coined in the aftermath of the French Revolution to describe political systems that denied individual rights and mechanisms to contain democracy. The article ends with a discussion of the contradictory uses of “illiberalism” today, whether it be in countries like Hungary, or on American campuses.
