Simplifying the Arguments

Free Thinking Teachers provides a very simple description of why overly-idealistic liberal thought has problems standing up to the challenges the real world provides

"Idealism and liberalism sounds really good, especially to the uninformed. But
in the real world of people, political realities, and the business sector, pure
liberal idealism can be a set-up for failure..."

This is in the context of providing counseling to substance abusers. However, it could easily apply to a good deal of liberal thought. The problem with much of it is that it is overly-idealistic. There's nothing wrong with wanting to better society, but if that is the sum total of one's knowledge when tackling the problem (The world should be a better place, that's all there is to it), then those who wish to achive such a goal are bringing a knife to a gun fight. That approach ignores extenuating circumstances that, if ignored, will always lead to failure.