Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West
by R. R. Reno
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Description
After the staggering slaughter of back-to-back world wars, the West embraced the ideal of the "open society." The promise: By liberating ourselves from the old attachments to nation, clan, and religion that had fueled centuries of violence, we could build a prosperous world without borders, freed from dogmas and managed by experts. But the populism and nationalism that are upending politics in America and Europe are a sign that after three generations, the postwar consensus is breaking down. show more With compelling insight, R. R. Reno argues that we are witnessing the return of the "strong gods"-the powerful loyalties that bind men to their homeland and to one another. Reacting to the calamitous first half of the twentieth century, our political, cultural, and financial elites promoted open borders, open markets, and open minds. But this never-ending project of openness has hardened into a set of anti-dogmatic dogmas which destroy the social solidarity rooted in family, faith, and nation. While they worry about the return of fascism, our societies are dissolving. show lessTags
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Very eloquent, aside from the inexplicable kicking Karl Popper gets. Ends without a resolution, just a litany of well wishes. The book shows a very limited number of options, either go back to the past or perish following the current path. There are different directions to try other than back.
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Author Information
60+ Works 891 Members
R. R. Reno is the editor of First Things, a journal of religion and public life. His previous books include Genesis: A Theological Commentary, Fighting the Noonday Devil, and Resurrecting the Idea of a Christian Society. He lives with his wife in New York City.
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Politics and Government, Philosophy, History, Religion & Spirituality
- DDC/MDS
- 320.54 — Society, government, & culture Political science Types of Government Political ideologies Nationalism, regionalism, internationalism
- LCC
- JC311 .R426 — Political Science Political theory Political theory. The state. Theories of the state Nationalism. Nation state
- BISAC
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- 123
- Popularity
- 265,293
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.78)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 2
