The Great Realignment: Why the New Right is Here to Stay

by Stephen Davies

224 pages, Hardcover

Published April 6, 2026

Reviews

[Sam Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every wonder why what passes for political discourse these days consists of people screaming past each other? Stephen Davies has an explanation. The Great Realignment: Why the New Right is Here to Stay starts with a general theory of politics, then uses that theory as a framework to summarize politics from roughly the late 1800s to mid-2025 in the US, UK, and Western Europe. To greatly oversimplify the theory: politics is binary, conventionally left and right. At any time, two or three especially salient issues define right and left. Davies calls a change in such an issue a realignment. From roughly the late 1800s to 2008, the most salient issue was economic: left meant socialism or social democracy and right meant capitalism. During the period 2008-2016 there was a realignment, and the most salient issue became immigration. Now left means individualism and cosmopolitanism; right means nativism and nationalism.

The writing is clear and well-footnoted but jargon-free. Davies makes clear that he opposes the new right, but he takes their arguments seriously, and as far as I can tell treats them fairly.

My biggest question: Is the theory testable? With luck, some political science graduate student is already at work on that.

After reading this book, you'll be sadder, but wiser about politics.

[Paige Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great Realignment: Why the New Right is Here to Stay offers a timely examination of the political transformations reshaping societies around the world. Stephen Davies explores the emergence of new political movements and the forces behind the changing relationship between voters, institutions, culture, and ideology.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its focus on the deeper historical and social trends influencing political realignment. Rather than examining political change only through short-term events, Davies considers the broader shifts in values, economic conditions, and cultural attitudes that have contributed to the rise of new political movements.

The book provides readers with a thoughtful framework for understanding why traditional political categories are being challenged and why new alliances and priorities are emerging. Davies’ analysis encourages reflection on the future direction of politics and the factors that will continue shaping democratic societies.

Engaging and relevant, The Great Realignment: Why the New Right is Here to Stay will appeal to readers interested in political science, history, ideology, social change, current affairs, and the evolving landscape of modern politics.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas but dry as hell. It’s that cliche academic writing style that likes to use big words without explanation, to sound extra smart. The consequence is that it makes it hard to understand. If academics are publishing books, I assume that their audience is more widespread than their academic peers. If this is the case, they need to distill their ideas in a simpler way.

[pietro m · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dunning kruger effect