Victor Davis Hanson American Greatness American society is facing three existential crises not unlike those that overcame the late Roman, and a millennium later, terminal Byzantine, empires. Premodern Barbarism We are suffering an epidemic of premodern barbarism. The signs unfortunately appear everywhere. Over half a million homeless people crowd our big-city downtowns. Most know the… Continue reading Life Among the Ruins
The Toxic Racialist Obsessions of Joe Biden
Victor Davis Hanson American Greatness Joe Biden ran on “unity,” which is critical in a multiracial America. He vowed to heal the divisions supposedly sown by Donald Trump. Instead, he is proving to be the most polarizing president in modern memory. Often his racialist rhetoric and condescension have proven demeaning to both blacks and whites.… Continue reading The Toxic Racialist Obsessions of Joe Biden
Anarchy, American-Style
Victor Davis Hanson American Greatness The 1960s revolution was both anarchic and nihilist. But it was waged against—not from—the establishment. Hippies and the Left either attacked institutions or, in Timothy Leary fashion, chose to “turn on, tune in, drop out” from them. The current revolution is much different—and far more dangerous—for at least three reasons. The Establishment Is… Continue reading Anarchy, American-Style
Are Universities Doomed?
Victor Davis Hanson American Greatness In a famous exchange in the The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway wrote: “How did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked. “Two ways,” Mike said. “Gradually, then suddenly.” “Gradually” and “suddenly” applies to higher education’s implosion. During the 1990s “culture wars” universities were warned that their chronic tuition hikes above the rate of inflation were… Continue reading Are Universities Doomed?
If You Really Wanted to Destroy the United States, Then . . .
Victor Davis Hanson American Greatness First, you would surrender our prior energy independence. Reduce new gas and oil leases on federal lands to the lowest levels of any president in history. Cut back production at precisely the time the world is emerging from a two-year lockdown with pent-up consumer demand. Make war on coal and… Continue reading If You Really Wanted to Destroy the United States, Then . . .
The Worst and the Stupidest?
Victor Davis Hanson American Greatness Elites have always been ambiguous about the muscular classes who replace their tires, paint their homes, and cook their food. And the masses who tend to them likewise have been ambivalent about those who hire them: appreciative of the work and pay, but also either a bit envious of those… Continue reading The Worst and the Stupidest?
Why We Lost Trust in the Expert Class
Victor Davis Hanson American Greatness For years, European policy makers had assured the world that the relatively rapid “transition” to “green” energy was the world’s preordained future—regardless of the costs. Accordingly, many European Union governments followed the advice of green experts. They eagerly shut down coal, natural gas, and nuclear power plants to transition immediately… Continue reading Why We Lost Trust in the Expert Class
The Subordinate Citizen
Victor Davis Hanson American Greatness I recently led a group of about 100 citizens to tour Israel for nearly two weeks. Before returning to the United States, all participants had to indicate their vaccination status and take a COVID-19 test for reentry. Anxieties swept the group as Israeli testers swabbed them. Anyone testing positive would… Continue reading The Subordinate Citizen
Elites’ Sacrificial Victims
When your goal is to save the planet, you can’t worry about who may get hurt. by Victor Davis Hanson // National Review Online Why do our well-meaning elites so often worry about humanity in the abstract rather than the real effects of their cosmic ideologies on the majority? The dream of universal health coverage trumped… Continue reading Elites’ Sacrificial Victims
Illiberal Liberalism
The left’s disdain for ordinary Americans has deep historical roots. by Bruce S. Thornton // Defining Ideas During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama let slip his disdain for the middle-class when he explained his lack of traction among such voters. “It’s not surprising then,” Obama said, “that they get bitter, they cling to guns or… Continue reading Illiberal Liberalism