The Total State

How Liberal Democracies Become Tyrannies

By: Auron MacIntyre

Narrated by: Terrance Bayes

The Total State pulls back the veil on the new American authoritarianism and why the same system of liberal democracy we say we cherish may have led us to our present state

The modern United States is a nation full of censorship, lockdowns, riots, and political persecution. How did the land of the free become a surveillance state terrified of COVID and ruled by unaccountable bureaucrats? As a journalist, Auron MacIntyre witnessed firsthand the manipulation of news events, the bias of the press, and the relentless assault on truth during the Donald Trump presidency. Yet, it wasn't until the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that his worldview was irrevocably shaken. The emergency measures and unchecked power wielded by authorities revealed a dark underbelly that defied the constitutional safeguards he had always believed in.

The Total State delves into the core of MacIntyre's ideological crisis, exploring the erosion of individual liberties in the name of public health and the new brand of American authoritarianism that revealed itself under a state of emergency.

Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of thinkers outside the mainstream, MacIntyre questions the narrative that has been ingrained in our political discourse. What if democracy doesn’t limit government but instead helps it to expand? What if the Constitution failed to restrain power as intended?

The Total State doesn't offer easy answers, but it poses essential questions about the trajectory of our nation. MacIntyre meticulously examines the forces that have shaped our current reality, urging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about the state of our democracy and individual freedom. This thought-provoking exploration is a call to action, encouraging listeners to understand the roots of our present predicament and contemplate the challenging path forward.

©2024 Auron MacIntyre (P)2024 Skyhorse Audio

Required Political Reading for All

In this debut novel, Auron does a masterful job at distilling older and timeless political theory in a very down-to-earth way. Definitely a required piece for anyone interested in political theory.

What stood out most to me in The Total State is how MacIntyre exposes liberalism’s contradictions.

Auron MacIntyre’s The Total State is nothing short of a masterwork—a critical and incisive exploration of the modern political and cultural landscape that feels tailor-made for anyone disillusioned with the prevailing orthodoxy of liberalism and democracy. MacIntyre captures the essence of our era: a society caught in the grip of managerialism, where every aspect of life becomes subject to the overreach of the bureaucratic state. For those who understand the shortcomings of our current system, this book is a must-read.

What sets The Total State apart is its ability to tie together historical context, political theory, and cultural analysis in a way that feels both urgent and timeless. MacIntyre draws on thinkers like Burnham and Jouvenel, offering a deeply informed critique of liberalism’s inability to restrain its own inherent drive toward centralization and control. His exploration of the elite dynamics behind the expansion of state power aligns perfectly with the Machiavellian insights I hold dear.

But what truly resonates is the book’s unapologetic willingness to critique modernity at its roots. MacIntyre understands that liberalism, far from being a neutral framework for governance, acts as a social acid, dissolving the structures and traditions that once anchored societies. He highlights the hollow promises of freedom and equality, exposing the contradictions and trade-offs inherent in these ideals. His writing makes clear why the crisis of meaning we face today was inevitable under the totalizing reach of the liberal state.

MacIntyre doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths about human nature, hierarchy, and the necessity of competing elites. His arguments dovetail with my belief that society thrives not through abstract ideals of egalitarianism but through competing spheres of influence that keep power in check. The Total State is refreshingly free of the naïveté that plagues so many critiques of modernity—it’s grounded in reality, offering insights for those of us who reject the managerial monoculture.

In short, Auron MacIntyre has written a book that should be in the hands of anyone who recognizes the decline of the West and wants to understand how we got here. It’s a reminder that the total state is not a glitch in the system—it’s the natural conclusion of liberalism itself. For those seeking clarity in a chaotic world, The Total State delivers in spades.

Good stuff

Auron is correct, and the read is excellent. The smack down of James Lindsey was especially impressive.