Postliberal catholic critique of the American project in the context of modern populism

The article is dedicated to the analysis of the main theses of the postliberal Catholic critique in the USA. In the introduction, the theological roots of the concept of postliberalism are defined. In addition, the continuity between the ideological current in question and the movement of Catholic «cultural radicals» is revealed. It is stated that a key question for understanding the debates of modern postliberals with their rivals - «Whig-Thomists» - lies in the problem of the place of truth in politics. The main body introduces different approaches to the critical evaluation of the American project from historical revision to deep metaphysical critique. It is argued that the most radical arguments of the Catholic postliberals are based on the Platonic philosophy. The article concludes by the examination of possible connections between the «metaphysical realism» and the phenomenon of modern populism.