The Politics of Petulance: America in an Age of Immaturity

by Alan Wolfe

How did we get into this mess? Every morning, many Americans ask this as, with a cringe, they pick up their phones and look to see what terrible thing President Trump has just said or done. Regardless of what he’s complaining about or whom he’s attacking, a second question comes hard on the heels of the How on earth do we get out of this?   Alan Wolfe has an answer. In The Politics of Petulance he argues that the core of our problem isn’t Trump himself—it’s that we are mired in an age of political immaturity. That immaturity is not grounded in any one ideology, nor is it a function of age or education. It’s in an abdication of valuing the character of would-be leaders; it’s in a failure to acknowledge, even welcome the complexity of government and society; and it’s in a loss of the ability to be skeptical without being suspicious. In 2016, many Americans were offered tantalizingly simple answers to complicated problems, and, like children being offered a lunch of Pop Rocks and Coke, they reflexively—and mindlessly—accepted.   The good news, such as it is, is that we’ve been here before. Wolfe reminds us that we know how to grow up and face down Trump and other demagogues. Wolfe reinvigorates the tradition of public engagement exemplified by midcentury intellectuals such as Richard Hofstadter, Reinhold Niebuhr, and Lionel Trilling—and he draws lessons from their battles with McCarthyism and conspiratorial paranoia. Wolfe mounts a powerful case that we can learn from them to forge a new path for political intervention today.   Wolfe has been thinking and writing about American life and politics for decades. He sees this moment as one of real risk. But he’s not throwing up his hands; he’s bracing us. We’ve faced demagogues before. We can find the intellectual maturity to fight back. Yes we can.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 22, 2022

About the author

Alan Wolfe is professor of political science and director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life at Boston College. The author and editor of more than twenty books, he is a frequent contributor to the New York Times, Harper's, and the Atlantic. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Paul Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fine book to have read the last few weeks of the 2020 Presidential campaign. The theme of maturity was most persuasive, and the chapter on tragedy and comedy most compelling, as is the last chapter on lessons to apply as we move ahead. A very fine book.

[Moshe Hollander · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most thoughtful surveys of today's political climate in the US that I have come across. Although I have a few pretty sharp disagreements with the author on a few of his points, the fact that the author's arguments are so clearly stated and his biases so honestly presented makes it easier for me to clarify my own position in relationship with his which is, I believe, the hallmark of good political writing. Overall, a valuable read for any politically aware person.

Favourite quote: "There is also a case, perhaps limited but still necessary, for incivility in our politics. The fact that Donald Trump so frequently insults his opponents does not oblige his opponents to abjure insulting him. I have called Trump and his followers names- 'infantile' is one I use a great deal- because that is what they are. In politics a duty to tell the truth should generally top a duty to be nice. Civility, like maturity, ought to be earned. By being civil to others, I am treating them with respect, but to be meaningful, that respect has to be earned. Those Republicans in Congress who have stood firmly behind Trump have not earned my respect, and I cannot imagine they ever will. When we reach the stage of hard-won maturity, then we can talk honestly about civility."

[Loren Shultz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I guess I’m not cerebral enough to appreciate a work of this sophistication. The majority of the first chapter and most of the second consisted of quotes from what seemed hundreds of other scholars. I can’t recall every reading an author, “A” quoting author “B” who was quoting author “C” in order to illustrate the point being made by “A”, which by that time I had mentally misplaced.

For someone simple minded like me, it was as though a person sat down with myriad LEGO sets, and using a few special bricks from each, created something I think I maybe recognized.

I liked that many comments addressed shortcomings on both sides of the political divide

[Matt Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Wolfe examines the rise of Donald Trump (and the corresponding wave of particularly petulant, partisan politics sweeping America currently) through the lenses of political science and philosophy. How did we get here, and how can we get out? There's an explanation for the former, and perhaps a plan for the latter.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this to see if I could make sense of our current political climate. It helped some, but I still continue to be baffled by the choices people make. It will be interesting to see if we become more mature or continue to sink to the level of a toddler.

[Charlie Fenwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last 1/3 of the book was very useful in explaining the Trump phenomenon. Most important element to a working democracy is an educated electorate.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deeply informed perspective. Surely wise, but not compelling.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[Keith Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretentious twaddle - a litany of circular references and an exercise in ardent navel gazing. I'm sure the author had a point, but buggered if I could see it.

[Kerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't review books. This is my first attempt. I borrowed this book from my library. Since I can't mark the book, I used tiny post-it labels to remind me of passages I'd like to revisit. There must be forty colorful flags popping outside the book's pages. I am less interested in the inner machinations of a deeply flawed Trump, instead, desiring more clarity on how America has come to accept the very troubling actions he's taken, and the destructive course he has set for us and the world. Yeah, the appalling craziness is about him, but even more troubling, it's about us. Yes, the first part of the book seems like insider name dropping at a posh academic retreat, but get through it. Maybe it will inspire further investigation. I'm returning the library book, but buying two others; one to mark up, and one to loan to others who show the slightest willingness and interest to investigate why so many in our country find Trump so enticing.

[jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather dry philosophical discussion trying to explain why and how someone like Trump could come into power. Makes some good points nonetheless.