In the middle of his article, David Brooks further expands upon his argument by defining and analyzing the growing concept of “naked liberalism.” In doing so, Brooks compares society to an “unsteady tree,” painting the image that “the branches of individual rights are sprawling, but the roots of common obligation are withering away.” He then introduces his following sentences with the phrase “Freedom without” and expands upon a disappearing construct, expressing how the growingly deteriorating aspects of our society, such as covenants, connection, and unity, are all essential in perpetuating the prosperity of our nation. The columnist expounds this idea of “naked liberalism” in order to raise awareness of how allowing liberalism to completely
