
Suicide of the West
An Essay on the Meaning and Destiny of Liberalism
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Narrated by:
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Phillip J. Sawtelle
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By:
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James Burnham
About this listen
William F. Buckley, Jr., perhaps best described the importance of this seminal work when he said, "James Burnham has written a book about Liberalism for which the world has been aching. It is worth more to the West than the year’s gross national product, more than all the planes and bombs…."
Through studious research into past civilizations, Burnham diagnoses the 20th century and finds it afflicted with destructive, even "suicidal" tendencies - all of which arise from the “Liberal syndrome” and its inherent applications.
The book explores several important questions, including why Liberalism clashes with Christianity and how Liberalism is a root cause of race riots and the rapid growth in crime. For James Burnham, who died in 1986, this book is certainly one of his greatest legacies.
©1985 1986 by James Burnham (P)1988 Blackstone Audio, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
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Phenomenal
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There are some very interesting and original ideas in the book. The book was written in 1964, but the author remarked on the sense of guilt that liberals have. We now see this in new forms, but originally it was based on class and in attitudes towards the Third World. A lot of things that people think are new, are not really new, but have just really spread, while manifesting itself in new ways.
Another very interesting idea is that liberalism is an ideology that reconciles people to the decline of their civilization, by reframing it in a way that can be seen as positive.
Now, some notable issues on which it may be out of date. Some people view this work as racism. But that is being blinded by presentism. Burnham did not say that no change was necessary on racial issues, only that this change should not be sudden and revolutionary, but steady and in a way that allows people to adjust. That was a perfectly legitimate point of view, in fact, the conservative point of view in 1964. In fact, he takes a very empirical stance on racial issues, and attacks both people who exclusively attribute racial differences to one race being worse, as well as people who exclusively attribute them to victimization.
What has aged most poorly is the attitude towards the Cold War. The Kennedy administration is criticized in the book for having been soft on communism. In retrospect, we knew how close we came to a nuclear war over the Cuban Missile Crisis, so I would say it was just soft enough. All the more reason for historians to stick to history, instead of trying to comment on current events.
All in all, an interesting listen, and not just for its historical value. But realize that it is a critique. It focuses almost exclusively on the negative. It does not even pretend to be even-handed, objective or to give liberalism credit for the good things that it has done.
Very interesting, but also a bit out of date
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So presciently accurate
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Very important
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Furthermore, his race and ethnic realism, though not explicitly racist, may be uncomfortable to some.
However, you cannot deny his lucidity and accuracy regarding what it means to be a liberal, and how such a belief affects the mind of one who believes in such ideals. He even chronicles the transition from classical liberalism to modern progressivism.
Overall, if you are a conservative, classical liberal who dislikes progressivism, or a culturally conservative realist libertarian, this is a must listen. And for those of you who are otherwise politically: it might be useful to listen to a critique of you viewpoints from the standpoint of an agnostic realist and former communist.
For those of you who are centrist or undecided politically, I'm sure there are a handful of better books, but this is a decent listen and definitely worth your time. You will appreciate the agnostic viewpoint and independent nature of his commentary -- especially near the beginning.
The Truth is simple: isn't that a double lie?
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Feels like it could’ve beer written today.
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I enjoyed it greatly
I need 15 words
amazing
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Burnham is an Oracle
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China is expanding in the Pacific rim and we provided them with technology to do it, like Lenin used to say - The capitalist will sell the rope on which the commies will hang them. All coming out of liberal conviction that offering help to villains in need will make them into model citizens, so well outlined in the book.
On domestic social issues everything is same but a lot worse. The suicide of the west was like a long walk toward the edge of the precipice. Now we are standing at the edge and with original populations of Europe and USA being rapidly replaced the jump into the abyss is about to happen within next few generations. Nobody will be better off, especially rainbow colored liberals.
Listening in 2022 not believing book is from 1964
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As with all civilizations in time, the west is dying. Liberalism is just the means of death to this society.
Great book on the liberal religion.
Excellent Book
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