4. Conclusion

Today, the challenges of issues related to poverty, debt, environmental concerns, resource use and development, Internet censorship, and health crises can force societies to reconsider or limit the application of liberal values.  Examples of poverty and wealth, including homelessness, debt and housing crises, and decisions about environmental issues and their possible impacts can influence how we feel about the extent to which liberalism is viable today.  The key questions are whether  moderate self-interest- rather than selfishness or altruism- can address these challenges to liberalism and what roles governments and citizens should play in doing so.