Description
Book Synopsis: A contrarian yet highly engaging account of the spread of illiberal and anti-democratic sentiment throughout our culture that places responsibility on the citizens themselves.
Over the past three decades, citizens of democracies who claim to value freedom, tolerance, and the rule of law have increasingly embraced illiberal politicians and platforms. Democracy is in trouble--but who is really to blame?
In Our Own Worst Enemy, Tom Nichols challenges the current depictions of the rise of illiberal and anti-democratic movements in the United States and elsewhere as the result of the deprivations of globalization or the malign decisions of elites. Rather, he places the blame for the rise of illiberalism on the people themselves. Nichols traces the illiberalism of the 21st century to the growth of unchecked narcissism, rising standards of living, global peace, and a resistance to change. Ordinary citizens, laden with grievances, have joined forces with political entrepreneurs who thrive on the creation of rage rather than on the encouragement of civic virtue and democratic cooperation.
While it will be difficult, Nichols argues that we need to defend democracy by resurrecting the virtues of altruism, compromise, stoicism, and cooperation--and by recognizing how good we've actually had it in the modern world.
Trenchant, contrarian, and highly engaging, Our Own Worst Enemy reframes the debate about how democracies have ended up in this dire state of affairs and what to do about it.
Details
In a world that seems to be increasingly divided, it is important to understand the factors that have led to the rise of illiberal and anti-democratic movements. Our Own Worst Enemy, written by Tom Nichols, offers a contrarian yet highly engaging account of this troubling trend. Nichols challenges the prevailing narratives that attribute the rise of illiberalism to external factors such as globalization or the decisions of elites. Instead, he places the blame on the citizens themselves.
By delving into the unchecked narcissism, rising standards of living, and resistance to change that have pervaded our society, Nichols uncovers the root causes of modern-day illiberalism. He highlights how ordinary citizens, burdened with grievances, have formed alliances with political entrepreneurs who thrive on stoking rage rather than encouraging civic virtue and democratic cooperation.
It may be difficult to accept, but Nichols argues that the responsibility for defending democracy lies with us. To counter the erosion of democratic values, we must revive the virtues of altruism, compromise, stoicism, and cooperation. While the task ahead may seem daunting, it is crucial to recognize how fortunate we have been in the modern world.
In Our Own Worst Enemy, Nichols presents a trenchant and contrarian perspective on the state of democracy. This thought-provoking book reframes the debate by analyzing how democracies have found themselves in such dire circumstances and offers practical solutions to address the issue at hand. If you are concerned about the future of democracy and want to make a difference, now is the time to take action.
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