
The Retreat of Western Liberalism
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Narrated by:
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Julian Elfer
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By:
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Edward Luce
About this listen
In his widely acclaimed book Time to Start Thinking, Financial Times chief US columnist and commentator Edward Luce charted the course of America's relative decline, proving to be a prescient voice on our current social and political turmoil.
In The Retreat of Western Liberalism, Luce makes a larger statement about the weakening of western hegemony and the crisis of liberal democracy - of which Donald Trump and his European counterparts are not the cause, but a terrifying symptom. Luce argues that we are on a menacing trajectory brought about by ignorance of what it took to build the West, arrogance towards society's economic losers, and complacency about our system's durability - attitudes that have been emerging since the fall of the Berlin Wall. We cannot move forward without a clear diagnosis of what has gone wrong.
Combining on-the-ground reporting with intelligent synthesis of the literature and economic analysis, Luce offers a detailed projection of the consequences of the Trump administration, the rise of European populism, and a forward-thinking analysis of what those who believe in enlightenment values must do to defend them from the multiple onslaughts they face in the coming years.
©2017 Edward Luce (P)2017 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
while the tone is very bleak, the question he raised are important. in my view this is a good read regardless of where you stand politically.
Good and broad political analysis
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What made the experience of listening to The Retreat of Western Liberalism the most enjoyable?
OK, it is largely because he thinks about current events as I do,that I think he did a great job. But, he is a much clearer & deeper explainer of the reasons we are where we are in 2017, than I could ever hope to be.What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?
A good but not pedantically deep history of Western Liberalism and the social & economic bases of modern society. His story, to this student but not expert of history (me), rings true and his vantage point appears valuableWhat’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?
The important point is his contribution to the understanding of how the liberal establishment lost and is still losing the working middle class citizens of the US and of Europe. That loss has been too easily dismissed as racism, rather than delving into the larger, deeper engines of that segment's dissatisfaction and the possible remedies.Any additional comments?
A couple hours well spent.Clear and Convincing
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Western liberalism needs to be reinvented by investment in a technological revolution for all Americans, not just those who have benefited from the industrial revolution. The question is whether private industry and the government are up to the task. Will western liberalism be reinvented and promoted by ossified industrial leaders and elected representatives? Most industry leaders and elected representatives are satisfied with the status quo while too many Americans struggle to make mortgage or rent payments. Luce defines the problem but offers no solution.
AMERICAN MALAISE
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Not for people who can't get on with the idea of "The West", but I'm not sure if the author really believes in that term either.
Hard to swallow book with a digestible narration
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Let’s hold onto democracy
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Insightful and Succinct
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To note I have continued faith in the genius of our democracy, without the apparent ‘yellow alert’ implied in the book. I do not think any one president can ruin us.
I do heed the need to read - thank you Mr. Luce for a lucid read and valuable perspective.
Relevant, topical to today’s political and social environment.
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Indispensable read
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must read!
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Clear thinking cogently presented.
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