Rebellion

How Antiliberalism Is Tearing America Apart—Again

De: Robert Kagan

Narrado por: Jason Culp

A chilling and clear-eyed warning about the threats to our democracy posed by the increasing radicalization of the Republican Party, from a leading historian and intellectual

The 2024 election could be the last free election held in a unified America. So warns Robert Kagan in this brilliant and terrifying analysis of the perilous state of democracy in the United States today. If Donald Trump loses the upcoming election, as he did in 2020, but refuses to accept the result, as he also did in the last election, he is likely to call on his millions of followers to repudiate the election results. It will be a short step from there to Republican-dominated states rejecting the legitimacy of the federal government and effectively seceding. The United States at that point will cease to be united, with grave consequences for both Americans and the world.

In Rebellion, Kagan dives deeper than the op-eds and think pieces to explore the historical forces that have brought us to this moment—in particular the long history of opposition to liberalism, and to government, that has shaped America’s character from the time of the Revolution to today. Trump’s unique capacity to tap into that tradition of dissent and circumvent the American system has brought us to the edge of dissolution—not for the first time in our history but possibly the last. This is an elegant and deeply informed synthesis of history, contemporary politics, and ideas that sheds light on this crucial moment.

©2023 Robert Kagan (P)2023 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Kagan details, mordantly, the anti-liberalism that emerged during and after the Civil War, a strain that, just as much as today’s version, insisted on a ‘Christian commonwealth’ founded essentially on wounded white working-class pride.”–Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker

"A concise but thorough tour through the influence of American liberalism’s malign twin . . . Kagan manages to diagnose both the acute and chronic nature of our present crisis."–Alan Elrod, Liberal Currents

Reference to contemporary political leaders.

You're wondering what brought about where the stubborn commitment to anti liberal came from, You'll be surprised at the answer. Kagan bases his statements on fact and he explains his reasoning well.

History explained

This is an excellent book about the history of our country in relation to the liberalism that underlies the founding of the USA. The part about how Trump fits into this is pretty short but it's enough to tie everything together. The book is a warning but it also shows us a glimpse of a positive future that we can enjoy if we stay the course.

Brilliant Summary

THE BEST summarization of a nasty, complicated and messy political landscape. Kept me eager for more.

Hats to the author!!!

Superbly throughout and explained

I read everything Robert writes that I can get my hands on. Wise, fair and insightful. His writings on current Germany are fascinating to me since I love Western European history - its behaviors are a repeating theme, unfortunately, but true to itself.

Explains A Lot

Succinct, well written historical overview of many parts of US history from our insertion thru today. Excellent must read.

Historical background of rebellion should frighten us today

The author presented a verifiable analysis of why we should fear the election again of the narcissist Trump and why that could unravel two hundred years of democracy. Wish this could be turned into something that would garner the attention of white males who could become serious advocates of democracy and overcome their possible racial prejudice.

Wake Up America! We are Sleep Walking into the Loss of Our Democracy

This book literally woke me up to the extreme danger of checking out … ignoring the clear & present dangers that are Donald Trump and the eminent loss of our democracy. Reading this felt more like reading an epic novel than the carefully drawn political science treatise it is. Through meticulous historical analysis Robert Kagan traces liberalism through history and focuses on how it manifests in the U.S. If you care about the USA, read or listen to this book and then 1. Vote 2. Figure out how you - in your every day life - can help save our liberal democracy!

Wake up America

The author did an excellent job of explaining the far right (illiberal) movement. He points out this movement is not Republican or Democrat. Over the decades both parties have played this role. He does point out that the southern region of the country has been the primary source of this movement. I hope America is smart enough to see the dangers this group represents. Think America ! The American experience and experiment is the anomaly in history not the norm. Resisting change , immigrants, women’s rights and minorities is not the way forward it is the beginning of the end. The American way is to embrace the evolution that is happening.
Excellent book.

The role of racism in America and its impact on American politics

A clear, concise explanation of the conflict between liberal democracy and white, Christian, nationalism. For 9 years I have tried to understand how Trumpism came to be. This book is the best road map to today’s political environment that I have ever read.

Very good summary of the historical context of Trumpism

Very learned on the history of the right without bogging down in detail. Brisk but informative.