The threat from the illiberal left
Don’t underestimate the danger of left-leaning identity politics
Something has gone very wrong with Western liberalism. At its heart classical liberalism believes human progress is brought about by debate and reform. The best way to navigate disruptive change in a divided world is through a universal commitment to individual dignity, open markets and limited government. Yet a resurgent China sneers at liberalism for being selfish, decadent and unstable. At home, populists on the right and left rage at liberalism for its supposed elitism and privilege.
Over the past 250 years classical liberalism has helped bring about unparalleled progress. It will not vanish in a puff of smoke. But it is undergoing a severe test, just as it did a century ago when the cancers of Bolshevism and fascism __________ to eat away at liberal Europe from within. It is time for liberals to understand what they are up against and to fight back.
https://www.economist.com/leaders/2021/09/04/the-threat-from-the-illiberal-left
Which verb is correct to represent “vanish” in the sentence “AIt will not vanish in a puff of smoke. But it is undergoing a severe test, just as it did a century ago”?