Guénon’s structural symmetries with liberalism mask a total rejection of its principles.

Evidence

It is certainly not a coincidence that Guénon’s proposition of “agreement on principles” as preemptive of conflict is identical to the liberal adage that democracies never go to war with one another, the assumption being that a true liberal existence, which presupposes the upholding of liberal principles, generates symbiosis, if not harmonious coexistence, between them. But Guénon insists on excluding from any “agreement” precisely the liberal “worldview” along with the entire set of principles that this worldview produced. Materialism, wealth, and economics are always a source of conflict and discord, unless regulated by “the principles.” — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 331

Categorization

• XREF: Illuminating parallel between traditionalist/anti-modern thought and liberal international relations theory — both rest on shared-principle premises.
• SEED: Essay angle: the mirror-logic between supposedly opposed worldviews (traditionalism and liberalism) both claiming shared principles prevent war.