21st-Century Virtues: How They Are Failing Our Democracy

by Lucinda Holdforth

Authenticity. Vulnerability. Humility. Transparency. These are some of the 21st-century virtues proselytised by mindset gurus, paraded (if not practised) by big corporations, and lauded by professionals on LinkedIn. The quest for authenticity, for example, is central to progressive campaigns for greater diversity and inclusion, while our political and business leaders are highest praised if they appear to be humble. But are Australia’s newest virtues fit for purpose?In this provocative book, Lucinda Holdforth questions the new orthodoxy. She suggests that these virtues are not only unhelpfully subjective and self-referential but also, in the absence of broader civic values, fail to serve our democracy. This matters when experience around the world, especially in the United States, shows us that no democracy is guaranteed.Holdforth reminds us that arguments for transparency and authenticity are routinely used by totalitarian regimes to justify ultra-nationalism, artistic censorship and population surveillance. Vulnerability may be a facet of the human condition but that is surely no reason to make it an aspiration. Well-meaning people may talk about the power of ‘my’ truth, but if pushed too far this risks a dissolution of agreed facts and shared reality, breaking down the decision-making processes essential to effective democracy.If we agree that Australia needs confident, rational, optimistic and outward-looking citizens to shape our future, then Holdforth challenges us to reconsider the contemporary virtues shaping our society.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book!!

[Cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s not sleepwalk into the death of democracy. It’s good to know I’m not the only one worried.

[Matthew Links · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Lucinda Holdsworth took a critical philosophy-informed look at a series of commonplaces and Tears them to shreds in a highly entertaining manner.
Look, I love Brene Brown and from a self- development perspective I think she is brilliant. So to read one of my favourite authors eviscerated is just wonderful. In an era where you increasingly only hear from like- minded individuals to be contradicted so effectively is wonderful.
Taking a political Perspective rather than a self- development one completely changed my view. Linked- in will never be quite the same.
An entertaining and thought provoking read. Highly recommended.

[Robert Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A criticism of virtues, empathy, humility authenticity, that have become more prized in recent times and, as very clearly argued, pose a risk to democracy and shared community. LinkedIn, Brené Brown and the self-care ethos are given serious attention.
Thought provoking, highly recommended.

[Rueben · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jason Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have been a one star. Because it is everything you'd expect from the snobby, elite far left. Christianity—indeed all religion—is treated with a knowing arrogance reserved for the blatantly stupid. But Nietzsche, of course, is the font of all wisdom. Right up to and including his "God is dead" dictum. There is no such thing as right wing. There is only the far right wing, or the extreme right. It drips with every arrogant absurdity that has come to characterise the hyper-woke left. And I resent having to use the term woke to describe it, because that's not how I think and talk. I'm left. But this is the kind of left that created the extreme right that gave us Donald Trump.

But there you see it: four stars. I even considered five stars, an honour reserved only for books I find amazing. Why? Because the author has managed to rise above herself to critique the extremism of which she is a part. And done so with cutting clarity. She recognises that extreme left ideology, dogmatically proclaimed and aggressively proselytised, is nothing less than a threat to liberal democracy itself. Of course so is extreme right ideology. But this is easier for the left to admit. And it's refreshing to see someone on the left point out what is so obvious to me: that far left extremism is among the most hateful, intolerant, and oppressive of ideologies when viewed individualistically and enforced by power.

There is much here I don't agree with, but it is thought-provoking and as such, Holdforth has done Australian society a great service. Because the one thing we very much agree on is that many of our modern "virtues" are undermining our democracy and dis-integrating our society. And that it is crucial that people of goodwill all along the ideological spectrum come together to protect and strengthen the fundamental ideals that make our Australian society possible. Before it's not.

[Dexi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought-provoking look at modern virtues. It struck me that much of what could be classed as virtues nowadays are nebulous, emotion-based ideas, rather than the kinds of virtues previously espoused. Self-absorption underlies most of the modern virtues. Virtues like order, frugality, moderation and cleanliness are no longer on the list. (These ones were from a list compiled in 1784.)
The section about truth and “my truth” was shocking with its implications for democracy. If government policy is based on emotions and perceptions instead of facts, governments can become deeply irrational. Likewise, election campaigns can be similarly afflicted with an ignorance of facts.
The intolerance of the progressive left toward other viewpoints was discussed. Ideological oppression was identified as a threat to liberal democracy, even when it is dressed up as “goodness”.
In summary, being a “vulnerable”, “authentic” person is not virtuous if that same person ends up self-absorbed, intolerant and unable to critically assess facts.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting book, very readable and informative about the current political climate. The book explains how we have arrived in this current political situation and how the extremes of politics are becoming more popular. For the sake of democracy read this!

[Elinor Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very welcome analysis of the way neoliberalism has undermined the civic virtues supporting democracy, by promoting self focused and vague individualistic values instead.

I really appreciated her analysis of his trend, in particular the behaviour regarding values on LinkedIn and via the Brene Brown phenomenon. I have an account on LinkedIn, but thankfully I don’t spend much time on it, so her examples were interesting revelations to me of the toxic positivity and unselfconscious individualism of that medium. I was minded of the hilarious Wankernomics show, put on by ex-Chaser comedians, which sends up that sort of pompousness and obfuscation relentlessly. We need more political satire to strengthen our democracy!

I was aware of Brene Brown, and have certainly read a lot of self help books, but a while back I came to realise that people had become obsessed with self examination as a substitute for civic engagement, and that it was letting them off the hook for thinking communally.

I’m grateful to Lucinda Holdforth for writing so brilliantly on these issues.

The only thing I’m a little uncertain about is her demolishing of empathy. Maybe it’s the trendiness of the term she hates, but I do think empathy for others is important, and that it underlies much of what we consider as good manners and consideration for others. I note that she has written a book on manners, which I am keen to read as well. And manners and consideration for others are what help knit society together, in the small acts which smooth each other’s day, and show that we care about the stranger, not just ourselves or those close to us. Maybe Lucinda’s concern is that empathy is used by the LinkedIn and self help mob to only be relevant around one’s loved ones and those who can be of use to us.

All in all though, a terrific little book, greatly recommended.

[Meredith Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcome counterpoint to the 21st century virtues of authenticity, vulnerability, humility and transparency. Clearly written, powerfully argued, and thought-provoking.

[Rachael McDiarmid · Rating 5 out of 5]

💯 loved this book and her essay about virtues, free speech and more.

[Andy Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

good little read

[Iain Hawkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay, but like a lot of books this length, it's trying to cover too much in too short a time span.