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The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America
The New York Times bestselling author of The Case for Trump explains the decline and fall of the once cherished idea of American citizenship.
Human history is full of the stories of peasants, subjects, and tribes. Yet the concept of the “citizen” is historically rare—and was among America’s most valued ideals for over two centuries. But without shock treatment, warns historian Victor Davis Hanson, American citizenship as we have known it may soon vanish.
In The Dying Citizen, Hanson outlines the historical forces that led to this crisis. The evisceration of the middle class over the last fifty years has made many Americans dependent on the federal government. Open borders have undermined the idea of allegiance to a particular place. Identity politics have eradicated our collective civic sense of self. And a top-heavy administrative state has endangered personal liberty, along with formal efforts to weaken the Constitution.
As in the revolutionary years of 1848, 1917, and 1968, 2020 ripped away our complacency about the future. But in the aftermath, we as Americans can rebuild and recover what we have lost. The choice is ours.
Human history is full of the stories of peasants, subjects, and tribes. Yet the concept of the “citizen” is historically rare—and was among America’s most valued ideals for over two centuries. But without shock treatment, warns historian Victor Davis Hanson, American citizenship as we have known it may soon vanish.
In The Dying Citizen, Hanson outlines the historical forces that led to this crisis. The evisceration of the middle class over the last fifty years has made many Americans dependent on the federal government. Open borders have undermined the idea of allegiance to a particular place. Identity politics have eradicated our collective civic sense of self. And a top-heavy administrative state has endangered personal liberty, along with formal efforts to weaken the Constitution.
As in the revolutionary years of 1848, 1917, and 1968, 2020 ripped away our complacency about the future. But in the aftermath, we as Americans can rebuild and recover what we have lost. The choice is ours.
448 pages, Audiobook
First published October 1, 2021
1253 people are currently reading
3331 people want to read
About the author
Victor Davis Hanson
81 books1,184 followersVictor Davis Hanson was educated at the University of California, Santa Cruz (BA, Classics, 1975), the American School of Classical Studies (1978-79) and received his Ph.D. in Classics from Stanford University in 1980. He lives and works with his family on their forty-acre tree and vine farm near Selma, California, where he was born in 1953.
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September 6, 2021
In his forthcoming book, the Dying Citizen, noted historian Victor Davis Hanson cogently explains the roots of citizenship in the ancient Greek democracies and traces the modern-day threats to citizenship in current America.
Hanson begins his treatise by discussing the citizens of the ancient Greek republics who were, for the most part, middle-class people who saw themselves protected by laws rather than by transitory goodwill or the patronage of aristocrats and were thus enabled and emboldened to produce and create. That idea of citizenship with responsibilities and rights has been expanded over the past 200 plus years to include the poor, women, and minorities, creating the free-est country in the history of the world.
Yet, now that idea of citizenship is threatened by the shrinking of the middle-class in a world where jobs have been shipped overseas and the middle-class of the most affluent and technology advanced state (California) cannot afford a home and cannot afford to raise their families there. Without the middle-class, the world becomes the rich elites who do not need the protection of government because they are transnational and can go anywhere and the impoverished uneducated who have not learned the values of democracy.
Secondly, Hanson points out that there is a dilution in distinction now between citizens and residents so that those who come here illegally have the same rights as those who were born here and those who followed the rules. This illegal immigration has resulted in jurisdictions where they openly defy federal law, weakening the rule of law and the protections of law that so many have counted on. It has also resulted in untold thousands of criminals among the many essentially decent people who have crossed the border illegally, but in such numbers that even a small minority of criminals have caused unimaginable havoc and suffering on those who relied on the government to protect them from criminals.
The third threat to citizenship and democracy that Hanson identifies is the breakdown of Americans into separate identity tribes as opposed to one national identity. This, in turn, causes harm to patriotism and to adherence to shared values and history. He notes that “the story of the United States was never just a simplistic psychodrama” of different racial groups warring, but often a tale of class antagonism. Notably, though, the founding documents offered a “sanctioned pathway out of bias to a fairer and more racially blind society.” Multiculturalism fragments citizenship into racial categories and divides us further. Opposed to tribalism though is individualism and the American ideal is to each be treated on their own merit, not based on shared characteristics.
The fourth threat to citizenship identified in this book is the unelected whether that is the ever-growing power of the deep state, the unelected bureaucracy which thinks it knows better than the ordinary citizen. “The bureaucratic threat, then, to classical citizenship is an ascendance of a virtual unelected aristocracy or rigged oligarchy that exercises power in a manner that does not reflect consensual government.” These powerful elites have also of late taken root in the journalistic industry which no longer purports to be neutral and whose biases are now clearer than ever and more partisan than ever.
The fifth threat is called evolutionaries, that is, those who would do away with our common heritage and throw out the baby with the bathwater, trashing the constitution, the amendments, the makeup of the Supreme Court, the freedoms we hold dear. Elites now are piecemeal attacking the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and wielding whatever power they deem right to suit their ends.
Finally, the sixth threat to citizenship is globalism whereby the elites have decreed that all civilizations are equal and that there is nothing to be admired about the free United States. In service of globalism, it is often the middle and lower classes that suffer as their jobs are shipped out of country and their lives are hollowed out. Globalism also results in submission to world bodies dominated by Iran and North Korea where the idea of human rights is not serious and our sovereignty is gifted to international bodies who do not have our interests at heart.
Thus, there are today a number of ever-escalating threats to freedom and democracy and our way of life and we had better recognize the thin ice we are skating on before our freedoms are crushed in the pathway of someone else’s idea of a better world.
Hanson begins his treatise by discussing the citizens of the ancient Greek republics who were, for the most part, middle-class people who saw themselves protected by laws rather than by transitory goodwill or the patronage of aristocrats and were thus enabled and emboldened to produce and create. That idea of citizenship with responsibilities and rights has been expanded over the past 200 plus years to include the poor, women, and minorities, creating the free-est country in the history of the world.
Yet, now that idea of citizenship is threatened by the shrinking of the middle-class in a world where jobs have been shipped overseas and the middle-class of the most affluent and technology advanced state (California) cannot afford a home and cannot afford to raise their families there. Without the middle-class, the world becomes the rich elites who do not need the protection of government because they are transnational and can go anywhere and the impoverished uneducated who have not learned the values of democracy.
Secondly, Hanson points out that there is a dilution in distinction now between citizens and residents so that those who come here illegally have the same rights as those who were born here and those who followed the rules. This illegal immigration has resulted in jurisdictions where they openly defy federal law, weakening the rule of law and the protections of law that so many have counted on. It has also resulted in untold thousands of criminals among the many essentially decent people who have crossed the border illegally, but in such numbers that even a small minority of criminals have caused unimaginable havoc and suffering on those who relied on the government to protect them from criminals.
The third threat to citizenship and democracy that Hanson identifies is the breakdown of Americans into separate identity tribes as opposed to one national identity. This, in turn, causes harm to patriotism and to adherence to shared values and history. He notes that “the story of the United States was never just a simplistic psychodrama” of different racial groups warring, but often a tale of class antagonism. Notably, though, the founding documents offered a “sanctioned pathway out of bias to a fairer and more racially blind society.” Multiculturalism fragments citizenship into racial categories and divides us further. Opposed to tribalism though is individualism and the American ideal is to each be treated on their own merit, not based on shared characteristics.
The fourth threat to citizenship identified in this book is the unelected whether that is the ever-growing power of the deep state, the unelected bureaucracy which thinks it knows better than the ordinary citizen. “The bureaucratic threat, then, to classical citizenship is an ascendance of a virtual unelected aristocracy or rigged oligarchy that exercises power in a manner that does not reflect consensual government.” These powerful elites have also of late taken root in the journalistic industry which no longer purports to be neutral and whose biases are now clearer than ever and more partisan than ever.
The fifth threat is called evolutionaries, that is, those who would do away with our common heritage and throw out the baby with the bathwater, trashing the constitution, the amendments, the makeup of the Supreme Court, the freedoms we hold dear. Elites now are piecemeal attacking the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and wielding whatever power they deem right to suit their ends.
Finally, the sixth threat to citizenship is globalism whereby the elites have decreed that all civilizations are equal and that there is nothing to be admired about the free United States. In service of globalism, it is often the middle and lower classes that suffer as their jobs are shipped out of country and their lives are hollowed out. Globalism also results in submission to world bodies dominated by Iran and North Korea where the idea of human rights is not serious and our sovereignty is gifted to international bodies who do not have our interests at heart.
Thus, there are today a number of ever-escalating threats to freedom and democracy and our way of life and we had better recognize the thin ice we are skating on before our freedoms are crushed in the pathway of someone else’s idea of a better world.
November 16, 2021
Others have said it better in their reviews here. But this in real life economic or historical or outcomes data accuracy, specific political quotes, and in precise definition which is not context nuanced to any particular worldview on top of it-is superbly written.
I strongly disagree that this is something written for the Conservative or any form of "right" wing choir. It certainly is not. In fact, he in nearly each chapter has criticisms for past initiatives that were and are now presently being labeled toward Republican.
It is also accurate in the stats of humans in this world who live within any form of a democratic or republican form where the role of citizenship is NAMED in that manner. (Barely half could be considered a citizen in any aspect.)
Every American or resident of the USA should read the chapter on "Peasants". Total truth.
But I loved his writing per exact examples given too, within each section. And the quotes from leaders, writers, erudite of the past human history before each chapter were 6 stars.
It's a very, very poor picture for any "middle". Not only in economic viability either. Middle class in anyway it might be or formerly defined. Because that is where stability, better, and especially individual freedoms are most strongly seated for law and safety. Even before the Roman Empire, this was stats true.
The examples he gives in the Globalization sections are ones all of us, every human I personally know, often remark upon or shake our heads over/at. Davos Man or Davos Woman EXACTLY. Fully heavily invested in global capital profit and flying there in 300 fully fueled jets who believe they know better than the rest of us. While patting themselves on the back for not using the paper to print the agenda menus.
"Citizenship is what makes a republic: monarchies can get along without it. What keeps a republic on its legs is good citizenship." Mark Twain
From ancient Greeks to Balzac- all the quotes and examples are better to best. As are Hanson's full discourse upon the particulars of each. And the REAL numbers of ownership and the citizens' outcomes.
I strongly disagree that this is something written for the Conservative or any form of "right" wing choir. It certainly is not. In fact, he in nearly each chapter has criticisms for past initiatives that were and are now presently being labeled toward Republican.
It is also accurate in the stats of humans in this world who live within any form of a democratic or republican form where the role of citizenship is NAMED in that manner. (Barely half could be considered a citizen in any aspect.)
Every American or resident of the USA should read the chapter on "Peasants". Total truth.
But I loved his writing per exact examples given too, within each section. And the quotes from leaders, writers, erudite of the past human history before each chapter were 6 stars.
It's a very, very poor picture for any "middle". Not only in economic viability either. Middle class in anyway it might be or formerly defined. Because that is where stability, better, and especially individual freedoms are most strongly seated for law and safety. Even before the Roman Empire, this was stats true.
The examples he gives in the Globalization sections are ones all of us, every human I personally know, often remark upon or shake our heads over/at. Davos Man or Davos Woman EXACTLY. Fully heavily invested in global capital profit and flying there in 300 fully fueled jets who believe they know better than the rest of us. While patting themselves on the back for not using the paper to print the agenda menus.
"Citizenship is what makes a republic: monarchies can get along without it. What keeps a republic on its legs is good citizenship." Mark Twain
From ancient Greeks to Balzac- all the quotes and examples are better to best. As are Hanson's full discourse upon the particulars of each. And the REAL numbers of ownership and the citizens' outcomes.
September 17, 2023
This is a great book. Let me figure out and arange my notes so I may give this a good review it deserves.
November 21, 2021
The Dying Citizen by historian Victor Davis Hansen is an impressive study chronicling the rise of the idea of democracy and concepts of what citizenship entailed as civilizations developed, thrived, and failed. He highlights the various classes that developed in Ancient Greece and Roman times that laid the foundation for our modern world leading to the most precious of documents…the Constitution of the United States. He then proceeds to point out the attacks coming from abroad (globalization) and domestically (leftist progressivism) that assail it. This is a book that should be read by all patriotic Americans who are aghast at the direction we’re heading. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.
October 20, 2021
"Today only a little more than half of the world’s seven billion people are citizens of fully consensual governments enjoying constitutionally protected freedoms. They are almost all Western—or at least they reside in nations that have become “westernized.” These realities explain why millions from North Africa risk drowning in the Mediterranean to reach Europe and why millions more uproot from Mexico and Latin America to cross the southern border of the United States. Call their exodus from their homelands a desperate quest for greater income, freedom, or security—or simply for a chance to be an unfamiliar citizen somewhere else rather than a certain serf, noncitizen, or subject at home..."
The land of the free, and the home of the brave. Uniquely founded on the ideals of liberty, individual rights, and self-determination; the core ethos of America are under attack, says the author. I agree.
Author Victor Davis Hanson is an American conservative commentator, classicist, and military historian. He has been a commentator on modern and ancient warfare and contemporary politics for The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Review, The Washington Times, and other media outlets.
He is a professor emeritus of Classics at California State University, Fresno, the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in classics and military history at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, and visiting professor at Hillsdale College.
Victor Davis Hanson:
Hanson gets the writing off to a good start, with a decent intro. He begins the book with the quote above.
The writing in the book proper begins by detailing the lack of affordability of life in modern America. High housing prices will prevent many people from ever owning their own homes.
Historically low birth rates are resulting in a declining population.
Many young people are overburdened by record levels of student loans and other debt.
He mentions a paradigm shift in the employment climate, as well, noting that the recent decades have seen a decline in tenure-track employment at institutions of higher learning.
The book continues on, examining the debate surrounding immigration to The United States. Hanson notes that the Overton window around this discussion has shifted recently, also taking a hard turn left. Border enforcement and the deportation of illegal immigrants was a Democratic talking point just a decade or so ago. He says that these talking points have now shifted into a drive for open borders among some on the political left.
At the heart of this book is discussion surrounding the culture war. California, one of the country's (and the world's) largest economies, has become ground zero in this battlefield, taking a hard left recently, embracing "progressive" policies; including widely expanded social support programs, and increased taxation.
Increased social welfare policies, higher taxation, and increasing tolerance of drug abuse and criminality were supposed to result in a higher standard of living for all. Many of these policies were also aimed at creating an affordable environment for California's residents. However, despite sounding good in theory, many of these policies have not yielded the fruit promised when they were implemented. In fact, many have had directly contradictory results from their original intentions.
Hanson says:
Despite fighting a Cold War (which was often not very "cold") for the better part of 60 years, against the destructive ideology of Marxist socialism/communism, many in the intellectual, media, and celebrity classes have now embraced this line of thinking.
In Mao's China, the peasants rose up against the so-called "landlord" class. In Stalinist Russia; the "kulaks" became "enemies of the people," and were liquidaded, or sent to the Gulag. Dozens of millions of people died in these man-made tragedies.
In today's America, Marx's class struggle between the bourgeoisie and proletariat has morphed into a new conflict. This neo-Marxism has assumed the form of a racial class struggle, as a proxy for the historic economic class struggle. The landlords of old have now been substituted with "white" people, and the peasants, with "people of colour."
Radical new philosophies, like Critical Race Theory, and many other "critical" theories, are just re-branded, or cultural Marxism.
Hanson talks about the roots of this identity politicking. He mentions that much of the Critical Theory that has spread through western institutions had its genesis at The Frankfurt School in Germany. Herbert Marcuse was a central figure in exporting this radical new branch of philosophy.
The United States of America, and most of the rest of Western Civilization are multicultural, multiracial, and multireligious societies. People from all backgrounds call these countries their home.
Historically speaking, having large numbers of disparate identity groups cohabitating in the same areas is not a recipe for social cohesion. This is where the term "Balkanization" comes from.
People are inherently deeply tribal creatures. Clashes centered around tribal identities are at the heart of many (or even most) large-scale human conflicts.
Religion, nationality, race, ethnicity, ideology, and even sports team affiliation - are just some of the ways that we all sort out who constitutes an "us" versus a "them."
The aforementioned tribal classifications are fundemental aspects of most people's identities.
Further to the above point, Hanson tells the reader of the recent rise of identity-driven politics in the west. Many leftist "progressives" forward a worldview where these tribal classifications, specifically, race - are extremely amplified. This constrained vision sees society as a group versus group, zero-sum, oppressor versus oppressed world of never-ending tribal conflict.
Contrary to the colour-blind vision of civil rights activists like Martin Luther King Jr, who dreamt of a world where tribal identities like race would no longer be important - this new vision demands that all things be viewed through the lens of race.
While the past has, without a doubt, seen many injustices perpetuated towards ethnic minorities, is punishing people who had nothing to do with those injustices the correct way to redress this historical problem?
If we are to live in a multi-racial society as the hyper-tribal beings we are, is focusing all of our efforts on what divides us a prudent course of action to achieve the social harmony and social cohesion that any society needs to thrive?
If we demand that everything in society be viewed through the lens of race, racial oppression, victimology, and group conflict, will the result likely be one of more social harmony, or less??
If the goal is to have people of disparate backgrounds and identity groups live together more harmoniously, will constantly pitting racial group against racial group, and driving tribal conflict have the effect of making things better, or worse??
Hanson also spends a bit of time here talking about much of the recent hysteria surrounding former American President, Donald J. Trump (DJT). A contentious and extremely polarizing figure, any talk of DJT is sure to spice up your dinner conversation.
There are many reasonable criticisms that can be made of DJT, to be sure, but much of what has been taking place over the last ~3-5 years has been far detached from any semblance of reason.
Coined "Trump Derangement Syndrome," or TDS by some, this social contagion is a modern-day moral panic.
Many on the political left have made hyperbolic comparisons of DJT to Adolph Hitler, seemingly unaware of Godwin's law. Hanson mentions that many psychiatrists also have violated the Goldwater Rule by attempting to diagnose DJT as mentally unfit, despite never having examined him personally in a clinical setting.
The book also briefly talks about the overwhelming left-wing bias in journalism. Leftist thought has hit its stride in that institution, and recently achieved a tipping point. Hanson mentions the unprecedented negative press coverage of DJT. He also mentions a few of the more prominent examples of "fake news" used to push the leftist "narrative," including the "Hand's up! Don't shoot!" mantra of Black Lives Matter, which was based on a false premise.
Some more of what is covered here by Hanson includes:
• Efforts to remove Donald Trump from office based on the ~4+ year false narrative of "Russian collusion."
• Efforts by many on the political left to overturn the American Electoral College; in order to achieve their desired election results.
• Attacks on the First and Second Constitutional amendments.
• The desire to decriminalize illegal immigration.
• The widespread looting, arson, and other assorted violence that engulfed swathes of many large American cities in the wake of the death of George Floyd, Jr.
• Anti-liberal "hate speech" laws.
• The censoring of conservative voices on social media.
• The impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.
• The cultural relativism and hypocrisy of globalists like Bill Gates.
• Globalism and cultural relativism. The fawning over criminals like the Boston Bomber, and tyrants, like Kim Yo-jong (sister of the North Korean dictator) by the leftist media.
• The 2020 American Federal Election.
• The ongoing reverberations of the 2019 COVID pandemic.
The great American experiment is currently undergoing one of its biggest stress tests. Can the liberal doctrines of freedom of speech, meritocracy, personal freedom and liberty that founded the land of the free survive the current age of hyper-partisan political polarization?
Rendered largely complacent by a prosperous economy, many regular people are not interested in getting involved with this conflict, IMHO. Cancel culture has also effectively managed to muzzle many professionals, who justifiably fear losing their livelihoods.
Where will this all end up? I'm not sure. Will the great American Experiment survive? I guess we'll have to wait and see...
***********************
The Dying Citizen was a decent read. While most of what is covered here will not be new to those who have been closely following the culture war, those relatively new to this topic will undoubtedly find much of value here.
I did enjoy this book, but felt that it could have benefitted from a more rigorous editing. The audiobook version I have clocked in at just over 15 hours, and I found Hanson's writing a bit dry at times. A decent chunk of the writing here could have been removed without affecting the overall presentation.
I would still recommend this one to anyone interested.
3.5 stars.
The land of the free, and the home of the brave. Uniquely founded on the ideals of liberty, individual rights, and self-determination; the core ethos of America are under attack, says the author. I agree.
Author Victor Davis Hanson is an American conservative commentator, classicist, and military historian. He has been a commentator on modern and ancient warfare and contemporary politics for The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Review, The Washington Times, and other media outlets.
He is a professor emeritus of Classics at California State University, Fresno, the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in classics and military history at Stanford University's Hoover Institution, and visiting professor at Hillsdale College.
Victor Davis Hanson:
Hanson gets the writing off to a good start, with a decent intro. He begins the book with the quote above.
The writing in the book proper begins by detailing the lack of affordability of life in modern America. High housing prices will prevent many people from ever owning their own homes.
Historically low birth rates are resulting in a declining population.
Many young people are overburdened by record levels of student loans and other debt.
He mentions a paradigm shift in the employment climate, as well, noting that the recent decades have seen a decline in tenure-track employment at institutions of higher learning.
The book continues on, examining the debate surrounding immigration to The United States. Hanson notes that the Overton window around this discussion has shifted recently, also taking a hard turn left. Border enforcement and the deportation of illegal immigrants was a Democratic talking point just a decade or so ago. He says that these talking points have now shifted into a drive for open borders among some on the political left.
At the heart of this book is discussion surrounding the culture war. California, one of the country's (and the world's) largest economies, has become ground zero in this battlefield, taking a hard left recently, embracing "progressive" policies; including widely expanded social support programs, and increased taxation.
Increased social welfare policies, higher taxation, and increasing tolerance of drug abuse and criminality were supposed to result in a higher standard of living for all. Many of these policies were also aimed at creating an affordable environment for California's residents. However, despite sounding good in theory, many of these policies have not yielded the fruit promised when they were implemented. In fact, many have had directly contradictory results from their original intentions.
Hanson says:
"Indeed, the state’s golden geese continue to fly from California at a rapid clip—at least five million in the single decade between 2004 and 2013, or at a rate of almost ten thousand a week. The rates of departure have only increased. Some census estimates suggest that seven hundred thousand fled California in 2018 alone, at a rate of over two thousand per day. The usual complaints of the departing are exorbitant taxes on the middle class, poor schools and infrastructure, high crime, costly fuel and food, and astronomical housing costs. In many state-by-state rankings of the “business climate” (categorized by regulations and taxes), California now rates in the bottom tiers.
Or put another way, under the ideology of open borders, as long as people in Central America or southern Mexico deem California preferable, it will draw newcomers, many of them entering the United States illegally. And as long as the state is seen as far less attractive than a dozen or so other states, millions of California residents will continue to leave. The state’s population may remain largely the same, but it will likely become apoorer, more culturally and economically bifurcated, and ultimately more medieval place.
More specifically, California recently voted to raise its gas taxes by 40 percent and by July 1, 2020, had the highest gas taxes in the United States—with still further gas tax rises scheduled over the next ten years. Yet even as more revenue arrived in state coffers, the more residents were warned of an increasing shortfall in funding for road construction and repair...
...Progressive California ranks as the third-highest state in the nation in terms of inequality, according to the so-called Gini coefficient that measures purported levels of income and capital wealth disequilibrium.
Nearly half of the nation’s homeless live in California—a state that professes to have the most progressive policies concerning the poor. About one-third of all Americans on public assistance reside in California. Approximately one-fifth of the state’s population lives below the poverty line, largely as a result of massive illegal immigration from the poorest regions of southern Mexico and Central America, which lowers wages and increases social entitlement costs. About one-third of Californians are now enrolled in Medi-Cal, the state’s health care program for low-income residents. Many of the latter are illegal residents, who suffer inordinately from diabetes and kidney complications requiring dialysis.
California’s social programs are magnets that draw in the indigent from all over the world, who arrive in search of generous health, educational, legal, nutritional, and housing subsidies. Some 27 percent of the state’s current residents were not born in the United States. Some 5.5 million Californian immigrants were estimated to be eligible to vote in 2020."
Despite fighting a Cold War (which was often not very "cold") for the better part of 60 years, against the destructive ideology of Marxist socialism/communism, many in the intellectual, media, and celebrity classes have now embraced this line of thinking.
In Mao's China, the peasants rose up against the so-called "landlord" class. In Stalinist Russia; the "kulaks" became "enemies of the people," and were liquidaded, or sent to the Gulag. Dozens of millions of people died in these man-made tragedies.
In today's America, Marx's class struggle between the bourgeoisie and proletariat has morphed into a new conflict. This neo-Marxism has assumed the form of a racial class struggle, as a proxy for the historic economic class struggle. The landlords of old have now been substituted with "white" people, and the peasants, with "people of colour."
Radical new philosophies, like Critical Race Theory, and many other "critical" theories, are just re-branded, or cultural Marxism.
Hanson talks about the roots of this identity politicking. He mentions that much of the Critical Theory that has spread through western institutions had its genesis at The Frankfurt School in Germany. Herbert Marcuse was a central figure in exporting this radical new branch of philosophy.
The United States of America, and most of the rest of Western Civilization are multicultural, multiracial, and multireligious societies. People from all backgrounds call these countries their home.
Historically speaking, having large numbers of disparate identity groups cohabitating in the same areas is not a recipe for social cohesion. This is where the term "Balkanization" comes from.
People are inherently deeply tribal creatures. Clashes centered around tribal identities are at the heart of many (or even most) large-scale human conflicts.
Religion, nationality, race, ethnicity, ideology, and even sports team affiliation - are just some of the ways that we all sort out who constitutes an "us" versus a "them."
The aforementioned tribal classifications are fundemental aspects of most people's identities.
Further to the above point, Hanson tells the reader of the recent rise of identity-driven politics in the west. Many leftist "progressives" forward a worldview where these tribal classifications, specifically, race - are extremely amplified. This constrained vision sees society as a group versus group, zero-sum, oppressor versus oppressed world of never-ending tribal conflict.
Contrary to the colour-blind vision of civil rights activists like Martin Luther King Jr, who dreamt of a world where tribal identities like race would no longer be important - this new vision demands that all things be viewed through the lens of race.
While the past has, without a doubt, seen many injustices perpetuated towards ethnic minorities, is punishing people who had nothing to do with those injustices the correct way to redress this historical problem?
If we are to live in a multi-racial society as the hyper-tribal beings we are, is focusing all of our efforts on what divides us a prudent course of action to achieve the social harmony and social cohesion that any society needs to thrive?
If we demand that everything in society be viewed through the lens of race, racial oppression, victimology, and group conflict, will the result likely be one of more social harmony, or less??
If the goal is to have people of disparate backgrounds and identity groups live together more harmoniously, will constantly pitting racial group against racial group, and driving tribal conflict have the effect of making things better, or worse??
Hanson also spends a bit of time here talking about much of the recent hysteria surrounding former American President, Donald J. Trump (DJT). A contentious and extremely polarizing figure, any talk of DJT is sure to spice up your dinner conversation.
There are many reasonable criticisms that can be made of DJT, to be sure, but much of what has been taking place over the last ~3-5 years has been far detached from any semblance of reason.
Coined "Trump Derangement Syndrome," or TDS by some, this social contagion is a modern-day moral panic.
Many on the political left have made hyperbolic comparisons of DJT to Adolph Hitler, seemingly unaware of Godwin's law. Hanson mentions that many psychiatrists also have violated the Goldwater Rule by attempting to diagnose DJT as mentally unfit, despite never having examined him personally in a clinical setting.
The book also briefly talks about the overwhelming left-wing bias in journalism. Leftist thought has hit its stride in that institution, and recently achieved a tipping point. Hanson mentions the unprecedented negative press coverage of DJT. He also mentions a few of the more prominent examples of "fake news" used to push the leftist "narrative," including the "Hand's up! Don't shoot!" mantra of Black Lives Matter, which was based on a false premise.
Some more of what is covered here by Hanson includes:
• Efforts to remove Donald Trump from office based on the ~4+ year false narrative of "Russian collusion."
• Efforts by many on the political left to overturn the American Electoral College; in order to achieve their desired election results.
• Attacks on the First and Second Constitutional amendments.
• The desire to decriminalize illegal immigration.
• The widespread looting, arson, and other assorted violence that engulfed swathes of many large American cities in the wake of the death of George Floyd, Jr.
• Anti-liberal "hate speech" laws.
• The censoring of conservative voices on social media.
• The impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump.
• The cultural relativism and hypocrisy of globalists like Bill Gates.
• Globalism and cultural relativism. The fawning over criminals like the Boston Bomber, and tyrants, like Kim Yo-jong (sister of the North Korean dictator) by the leftist media.
• The 2020 American Federal Election.
• The ongoing reverberations of the 2019 COVID pandemic.
The great American experiment is currently undergoing one of its biggest stress tests. Can the liberal doctrines of freedom of speech, meritocracy, personal freedom and liberty that founded the land of the free survive the current age of hyper-partisan political polarization?
Rendered largely complacent by a prosperous economy, many regular people are not interested in getting involved with this conflict, IMHO. Cancel culture has also effectively managed to muzzle many professionals, who justifiably fear losing their livelihoods.
Where will this all end up? I'm not sure. Will the great American Experiment survive? I guess we'll have to wait and see...
***********************
The Dying Citizen was a decent read. While most of what is covered here will not be new to those who have been closely following the culture war, those relatively new to this topic will undoubtedly find much of value here.
I did enjoy this book, but felt that it could have benefitted from a more rigorous editing. The audiobook version I have clocked in at just over 15 hours, and I found Hanson's writing a bit dry at times. A decent chunk of the writing here could have been removed without affecting the overall presentation.
I would still recommend this one to anyone interested.
3.5 stars.
November 22, 2021
America is divided. Regularly, Americans do not listen or debate with other Americans whose political or cultural viewpoints differ from theirs. ‘E pluribus unum” is nonexistent. Each ‘side’ questions how the other side could possibly think the way they do but neither side seems to be really interested in seeking the answer. Historian (and Fox News Contributor) Victor Davis Hanson frames his argument comparing and contrasting today’s democratic disputes to earlier examples of government and citizen rule.
Hanson escorts the reader through myriad causes of civilization breakdowns starting with the devaluation of citizenship by residency; the squeezing of the all-important middle class; tribalism as promoted via race, wealth, and class differences; the power of the unelected bureaucracy; the dilution of the U.S, Constitution using ‘work arounds’ to bypass the difficult provisions of constitutional amendments; and the impact of global interests over domestic needs. He doesn’t miss much.
Americans of both conservative and liberal perspectives should read this book as a step towards mutual understanding and reconciliation. If a reader is hesitant to read the entire book, I would encourage that he/she read the 18 page Introduction which previews Hanson’s view of the current state of democracy in the ‘United States and the 23 page epilogue describing his evaluation of U.S. political events through the second impeachment of the 45th President of the country. My guess is that they would be tempted to read the other six chapters.
I end this review with the authors page 2 quote: “Citizenship, after all, is not an entitlement; it requires work. Yet too many citizens of republics, ancient and modern, come to believe that they deserve rights without assuming responsibilities - and they don’t worry how or why or from whom they inherited their privileges.”
Hanson escorts the reader through myriad causes of civilization breakdowns starting with the devaluation of citizenship by residency; the squeezing of the all-important middle class; tribalism as promoted via race, wealth, and class differences; the power of the unelected bureaucracy; the dilution of the U.S, Constitution using ‘work arounds’ to bypass the difficult provisions of constitutional amendments; and the impact of global interests over domestic needs. He doesn’t miss much.
Americans of both conservative and liberal perspectives should read this book as a step towards mutual understanding and reconciliation. If a reader is hesitant to read the entire book, I would encourage that he/she read the 18 page Introduction which previews Hanson’s view of the current state of democracy in the ‘United States and the 23 page epilogue describing his evaluation of U.S. political events through the second impeachment of the 45th President of the country. My guess is that they would be tempted to read the other six chapters.
I end this review with the authors page 2 quote: “Citizenship, after all, is not an entitlement; it requires work. Yet too many citizens of republics, ancient and modern, come to believe that they deserve rights without assuming responsibilities - and they don’t worry how or why or from whom they inherited their privileges.”
February 22, 2022
Very well written and thought-provoking analysis by a renowned and brilliant historian.
October 26, 2021
3/10
“They apparently couldn’t fathom that nearly half the country had different opinions from them.” Oh wow, you’ve almost become self aware David. You were so close to applying this to yourself.
So in brief, Hanson is anti-immigration but pro economy (somehow failing to see that these are contradictory viewpoints). He believes that Fox news is "center right".
“Most immigrants aren’t felons” But we can’t be to careful. And gun violence? "Its not that bad, and theres nothing we can do about it anyway." Despite every other large economy solving it thirty years ago.
Basically this comes down to Hanson complaining that Trump was hard done by, and people were nicer to Obama, so why weren't people more helpful to Trump? Somehow, he must have missed the eight years of vitriol and hatred spewed at Obama by his cow-workers. The partisanship on both sides is disgusting, made only worse by people like Hanson who pretend it's one-sided. What's more, he should understand that the role of the dissenting minority is an integral part of a democracy, and the only real way to avoid totalitarianism. Hanson is obviously intelligent, so I'm sure he's thought of both of these points, but chosen to ignore them. He's writing for a right-wing audience, and therefore has the luxury of ignoring centrists or leftists. Trump was spoiling for a fight, found one, and acted surprised and that it was more than he could handle. Regardless of his policies, I'm hoping the Trump presidency will prove an aberration as far as tone, as it's clearly not a benefit to the country. It's disappointing to hear Hanson try to convince himself and his audience that Trump was good for the country. Again, entirely aside from politics, it is almost impossible to argue that Trumps rhetoric was helpful to the nation. This blind obeisance to a 3rd rate television star is more than I'm willing to pretend to be ok with. Clearly there are issues on the left, Biden and Hillary were about as bad of candidates as you could imagine, but that does not somehow make Trump an acceptable new norm. I've gotten a little off-topic, so I'll end with this, Hanson is clearly to knowledgeable about policy to continue pretending Trump had one worth toting.
You cannot move to France and become a Frenchman, or to Japan and become Japanese, the only place you can do that is America.
“They apparently couldn’t fathom that nearly half the country had different opinions from them.” Oh wow, you’ve almost become self aware David. You were so close to applying this to yourself.
So in brief, Hanson is anti-immigration but pro economy (somehow failing to see that these are contradictory viewpoints). He believes that Fox news is "center right".
“Most immigrants aren’t felons” But we can’t be to careful. And gun violence? "Its not that bad, and theres nothing we can do about it anyway." Despite every other large economy solving it thirty years ago.
Basically this comes down to Hanson complaining that Trump was hard done by, and people were nicer to Obama, so why weren't people more helpful to Trump? Somehow, he must have missed the eight years of vitriol and hatred spewed at Obama by his cow-workers. The partisanship on both sides is disgusting, made only worse by people like Hanson who pretend it's one-sided. What's more, he should understand that the role of the dissenting minority is an integral part of a democracy, and the only real way to avoid totalitarianism. Hanson is obviously intelligent, so I'm sure he's thought of both of these points, but chosen to ignore them. He's writing for a right-wing audience, and therefore has the luxury of ignoring centrists or leftists. Trump was spoiling for a fight, found one, and acted surprised and that it was more than he could handle. Regardless of his policies, I'm hoping the Trump presidency will prove an aberration as far as tone, as it's clearly not a benefit to the country. It's disappointing to hear Hanson try to convince himself and his audience that Trump was good for the country. Again, entirely aside from politics, it is almost impossible to argue that Trumps rhetoric was helpful to the nation. This blind obeisance to a 3rd rate television star is more than I'm willing to pretend to be ok with. Clearly there are issues on the left, Biden and Hillary were about as bad of candidates as you could imagine, but that does not somehow make Trump an acceptable new norm. I've gotten a little off-topic, so I'll end with this, Hanson is clearly to knowledgeable about policy to continue pretending Trump had one worth toting.
You cannot move to France and become a Frenchman, or to Japan and become Japanese, the only place you can do that is America.
March 7, 2022
Victor Davis Hanson, the celebrated historian and classicist, delivers a devastating analysis of the decline of citizenship in America. He begins by noting that citizenship is not an entitlement; it carries responsibilities and requires work. Citizens are self-sufficient economically. Citizens are not residents, prone to receiving more than giving. They are not tribal people, banding together by blood ties. They are not peasants, under the control of the rich, and they are allegiant to a representative democracy, not to an abstract worldwide commonwealth. Citizenship is synonymous with our freedoms and their protection by law and custom. America is only as good as the citizens of any era who choose to preserve and nourish it for one more generation.
With these thoughts as background, Professor Hanson proceeds to demonstrate why current forces are weakening, and threaten to destroy, citizenship in America. He addresses six different ways in which this is happening. He notes the economic loss of ground in the middle class; the collapse of America's borders opening the country to huge numbers of illegal aliens who share citizens' privileges without their responsibilities; the increasing failure of immigrants of all sorts to assimilate into the country as Americans, rather than remaining as ethnic groups; the rapidly increasing incidence of active governance being assumed by unelected bureaucrats rather than by representatives duly elected by citizens; the active attack on many aspects of traditional governmental processes, and the propensity of the elite class to place a higher priority on global citizenship than on safeguarding the interests of American citizens. One may differ with some of the details in the book, but the overall weight of Hanson's argument, and his thorough documentation of it, are very persuasive. This is a sober analysis, not a screed, and rises above political differences. Highly recommended.
With these thoughts as background, Professor Hanson proceeds to demonstrate why current forces are weakening, and threaten to destroy, citizenship in America. He addresses six different ways in which this is happening. He notes the economic loss of ground in the middle class; the collapse of America's borders opening the country to huge numbers of illegal aliens who share citizens' privileges without their responsibilities; the increasing failure of immigrants of all sorts to assimilate into the country as Americans, rather than remaining as ethnic groups; the rapidly increasing incidence of active governance being assumed by unelected bureaucrats rather than by representatives duly elected by citizens; the active attack on many aspects of traditional governmental processes, and the propensity of the elite class to place a higher priority on global citizenship than on safeguarding the interests of American citizens. One may differ with some of the details in the book, but the overall weight of Hanson's argument, and his thorough documentation of it, are very persuasive. This is a sober analysis, not a screed, and rises above political differences. Highly recommended.
May 22, 2024
Just like liberal propaganda, it takes literature and history, and twists it to fit into someones agenda. Bringing up yhe Illiad and making it fit your agenda is ballsy. Disgusting propaganda.
August 30, 2022
One can disagree with how closely the modern downward spiral parallels the decline of the western Roman Empire or quibble with the hollowing out of today”s middle class and its relevance to the manor societies during the medieval period, but one can’t argue with VDH on the facts.
His books read like drinking water from a fire hose; a litany of information blasted at the reader, moving shark like from one inconvenient truth to another.
His books read like drinking water from a fire hose; a litany of information blasted at the reader, moving shark like from one inconvenient truth to another.
October 7, 2023
I’ve never given a single star unless it was a DNF. I’d read some of Hanson’s teachings on early Greek democracy, and I appreciated the history and context he brought to discussions.
I had expected this to be a rather objective, non-partisan book, but it felt like a cry fest for the Right. Some treatment of Trump he recalls merely examines the reaction of the Left without examining the context of behavior that caused it. I wasn’t searching for a pro-left book. I wasn’t looking for a pro-right book. This book felt like someone was bitching at me for 400 pages. I can’t believe I read it all. I don’t know why it has so many good reviews.
I had expected this to be a rather objective, non-partisan book, but it felt like a cry fest for the Right. Some treatment of Trump he recalls merely examines the reaction of the Left without examining the context of behavior that caused it. I wasn’t searching for a pro-left book. I wasn’t looking for a pro-right book. This book felt like someone was bitching at me for 400 pages. I can’t believe I read it all. I don’t know why it has so many good reviews.
December 16, 2021
I just finished reading The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America by Victor Davis Hanson. The book got gushing reviews here. While I found the book worthwhile reading, I depart downwards from these reviews. Basically the author, from this book at least, reads like a thinking man's Tucker Carlson. Put simply, the book will persuade no one outside the conservative's echo chamber. I felt The Dying Citizen was a bit "out there" on immigration. It hit closer to home on the role of the unelected, affluent elite, globalism, and a certain punitive attitude toward success, dressed up as "equity." Victor Davis Hanson scores some points on racial issues. He also makes a good case that Trump was over-vilified.
The Dying Citizen at its best provides from useful fodder for political arguments that is missing from much media, perhaps Fox News aside. Other than that I have trouble fathoming why the book is on two-week reserve, with a wait to borrow from the library.
The Dying Citizen at its best provides from useful fodder for political arguments that is missing from much media, perhaps Fox News aside. Other than that I have trouble fathoming why the book is on two-week reserve, with a wait to borrow from the library.
October 15, 2021
A wonderful look at how things really work. Mr Hanson is perhaps my favorite living historian. His erudite and well-considered analyses are worth more than the price and time in getting and digesting his book. Agree with his positions or not, you cannot disagree with his facts. For those concerned with facts over narrative, this is essential reading. If you disagree with his conclusions, fine, but you can't discount his plain and deep thinking on these topics. Worth reading more than once, and worth recommending to friends on both sides of the aisle (if such can exist anymore).
October 6, 2021
Are you a resident or a CITIZEN? This is the question you’ll be able to answer after finishing “The Dying Citizen”, by Victor David Hanson.
Hanson is a senior fellow of military history and classics at the Hoover Institute at Stanford. He traces the history of citizenship back to its earliest days and follows the path to current conditions. It’s a heavy going and reads very much like a text book in parts. I was quite shocked to learn that most Americans have no clue what the First Amendment is, what the 3 branches of government are or who key historical figures are like Ulysses S. Grant or Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The book is broken up into 6 lengthy chapters that discuss:
1. PEASANTS - shrinking of the middle class
2. RESIDENTS - distinction between immigrants, residents & citizens; their right and laws
3. TRIBES - national identity vs. tribe identity; racism, bias and patriotism
4. UNELECTED - deep state, media, bureaucratic elite growing in power
5. EVOLUTIONARIES - dismantling the Constitution
6. GLOBALISTS - threat of globalism and loss of freedom, democracy
Each of these chapters is full of historical data leading up to our current situation with enough documentation to fill the last 20% of this volume. IMO, the best part of this book is the author’s epilogue. Hanson had cause to pen a lengthy update during the final editing process. In this chapter he pulls all the pieces together and summarizes including the last few months: “The stakes were no less than the preservation of the American republic itself.” A worthy read 📚
Hanson is a senior fellow of military history and classics at the Hoover Institute at Stanford. He traces the history of citizenship back to its earliest days and follows the path to current conditions. It’s a heavy going and reads very much like a text book in parts. I was quite shocked to learn that most Americans have no clue what the First Amendment is, what the 3 branches of government are or who key historical figures are like Ulysses S. Grant or Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The book is broken up into 6 lengthy chapters that discuss:
1. PEASANTS - shrinking of the middle class
2. RESIDENTS - distinction between immigrants, residents & citizens; their right and laws
3. TRIBES - national identity vs. tribe identity; racism, bias and patriotism
4. UNELECTED - deep state, media, bureaucratic elite growing in power
5. EVOLUTIONARIES - dismantling the Constitution
6. GLOBALISTS - threat of globalism and loss of freedom, democracy
Each of these chapters is full of historical data leading up to our current situation with enough documentation to fill the last 20% of this volume. IMO, the best part of this book is the author’s epilogue. Hanson had cause to pen a lengthy update during the final editing process. In this chapter he pulls all the pieces together and summarizes including the last few months: “The stakes were no less than the preservation of the American republic itself.” A worthy read 📚
December 20, 2021
There's a lot of good stuff here, but the discussion is only partially principled and is sometimes contrary to individual rights (such as a protectionist bent). In contrasting President Trump with the left, it usually makes DT out to be a hero instead of a lessor villain.
June 17, 2022
Citizenship was already an old fashioned idea in 1776. It was an ancient notion from Greece and Rome before kings came along to make people subjects. Citizenship in the United States lasted around 150 years until the world wars brought us into the European influence and fashion. Sure the kings in Europe were mostly ceremonial by the early 1930s, but the subjugation didn't go away. You could now vote for all manner of faddish ideas that empower the state over the individual. And since the Great Depression, America has slid into a morass of bureaucrats and the regulatory state that answers to no elected politician. This is the way the politicians want things. They don't want to have to vote to take your rights away. That is unpopular and could cost them their precious congressional seats. Instead American politicians delegate their power to the regulators that chip away at freedom.
But don't despair. It's for your own good. They wouldn't do this for themselves. It's not like they get to live by different rules than you do. Well, yes they do live by different rules, but that is only to better serve you. We both know that this is a great period of enlightenment. When someone disagrees just call them a Fascist.
But don't despair. It's for your own good. They wouldn't do this for themselves. It's not like they get to live by different rules than you do. Well, yes they do live by different rules, but that is only to better serve you. We both know that this is a great period of enlightenment. When someone disagrees just call them a Fascist.
May 25, 2022
This is actually great stuff, but I couldn't finish it bc I had to return it to the library; I will have to either buy my own copy or borrow it again at a later time, but I cannot finish it right now. I've got too much on my plate. Thus far I have gotten a lot out of it. See my review on the section about California:
https://withfreedomandbooks.blogspot....
Also, I paired it with the free online course at Hillsdale College: American Citizenship and It's Decline, taught by Hanson: https://online.hillsdale.edu/landing/....
I believe that gave me a great foundation on the outline of the book.
I'd probably give this five stars, but since I did not finish the book, I think I want to wait before I give it my best rating. Otherwise, it has been great reading and in depth study with historical topics that deserve our attention.
https://withfreedomandbooks.blogspot....
Also, I paired it with the free online course at Hillsdale College: American Citizenship and It's Decline, taught by Hanson: https://online.hillsdale.edu/landing/....
I believe that gave me a great foundation on the outline of the book.
I'd probably give this five stars, but since I did not finish the book, I think I want to wait before I give it my best rating. Otherwise, it has been great reading and in depth study with historical topics that deserve our attention.
October 21, 2021
Citizen or Peasant, You Decide
VDH surveys the ways in which all Americans, unable to purchase citizenship elsewhere, are being steadily degraded into subjects of a fickle global elite. His prescription is to restore the rights of citizenship in our Republic by judicious exercise of citizen's attendant responsibilities. I hope we are equal to such exhortation. From a manuscript point of view, the production seemed rushed. Though the chapter outline is sound, each chapter's execution could be more powerful. This plus too many catchphrase and "big word" repeats and at least one material distortion subtracted one star. If you do not relish subservience or, as Orwell wrote, "A boot stamping on a human face forever," then contemplate and resolve to restore American citizenship. Hanson's book may help you do that.
VDH surveys the ways in which all Americans, unable to purchase citizenship elsewhere, are being steadily degraded into subjects of a fickle global elite. His prescription is to restore the rights of citizenship in our Republic by judicious exercise of citizen's attendant responsibilities. I hope we are equal to such exhortation. From a manuscript point of view, the production seemed rushed. Though the chapter outline is sound, each chapter's execution could be more powerful. This plus too many catchphrase and "big word" repeats and at least one material distortion subtracted one star. If you do not relish subservience or, as Orwell wrote, "A boot stamping on a human face forever," then contemplate and resolve to restore American citizenship. Hanson's book may help you do that.
April 11, 2023
I could only read about 50 pages of Hanson’s vacuous, aimless rant before giving up on it completely. I skimmed over the rest to see if he was going anywhere with his pathetic attempts at setting the foundations for a coherent point. To the contrary, at around 75 pages in, he appears to drop all pretense of structure entirely. The only remarkable thing about this book is the rapidity with which it induced in me a sublime appreciation of the phrase “full of hot air”.
To be clear, I actually agree with a number of (though certainly not all of) Hanson’s arguments. That is part of the reason I am so disappointed in their (lack of) justification.
To be clear, I actually agree with a number of (though certainly not all of) Hanson’s arguments. That is part of the reason I am so disappointed in their (lack of) justification.
October 31, 2021
An excellent text book representation of the civil war (he declines this designation) and of the destruction of western civilization.
January 3, 2022
Most interesting chapter and the most important idea in the book was about how the U.S. and the Western World in general have achieved its success by overcoming tribalism. This is a very useful way to understand the difference between the Western World and other, less successful societies. Tribalism is essentially where people associate with others according to skin color or some other superficial of physical features. This will lead to unstable, poor, fractured societies constantly warring with each other. Examples could be seen in Africa, Middle East, to some extent in South America.
The first modern civilizations in ancient Greece and Rome supplanted tribalism with the idea of Citizenship in a lawful society where all the Citizens share similar values. This inevitably led to an explosion of ideas, inventions, art and prosperity that had never been seen. Becoming a citizen of Rome was an important and honorable event but eventually this idea was diluted into meaninglessness by inviting anyone to become a citizen without any real requirements. Thus the dichotomy between citizenship and tribalism was overcome by the latter and eventually Rome fell.
Similarly, America was founded as the first country whose Constitution was based on enlightenment philosophy of freedom, individualism and rationality. Here, again, citizenship was something that supplanted tribalism with common belief in freedom and rationality. We could see similar narratives in Europe and some other places but the point is that most societies have been tribalistic and in order for them to become successful, prosperous and great places to live, they must overcome tribalism.
Now all this will lead to a clash of civilizations eventually as one of the tenets of success in a modern individualist society is self-criticism. This comes along with free and non-hierarchical frameworks of exchanging ideas and knowledge which is also a mandatory precursor for the development of science. The problem with self-criticism is that tribalistic societies which fundamentally lack self-criticism will be attracted to exploit this weakness to benefit themselves on behalf of the host country. Another core idea to keep in mind is that tribalistic societies are quick to benefit and exploit the fruits and benefits of other individualistic countries without attaining the values that led to those benefits. Examples would be some extremely prosperous Middle Eastern countries which retain the backward tribalistic nature in their laws, customs and way of life. Another example would be Chinese extremely fast increase in wealth of the general population due to its allowing some degree of capitalism to function in its borders while remaining a communist dictatorship with extremely backwards tribalistic, racialist views and practices.
The nature of tribalism and individualism is described and contrasted nicely by the author and the core idea delivered to the reader is that the values that led to our prosperous and free societies are being actively eroded and deformed to benefit a small elite minority of extremely rich snobs. These ideas might make these people feel good about themselves but if put in practice, will result in a dystopia unsuitable for life. Examples are abound from California, a U.S. state led by a unilaterally democratic state, practicing the trendy leftist ideas of unlimited illegal immigration, sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, race segregated college campuses, mandatory race quotas and so on. This coupled with endless government regulations has made California into a hellish shadow of its former glory full of crime, homelessness, human waste and rampant drug use contrasted with the extreme wealth of Silicone Valley and the separate ultra-wealthy communities. All this is a reminder that globalist ideals of the elites who control the media companies might sound meretriciously elegant and give a warm fuzzy feeling but in actual practice, will result in literal hell. These elites have no loyalties to the values, freedom and sacrifices that have enabled the environment for them to acquire their wealth. They purportedly care about a general humanity but they scoff at the actual unnecessary suffering happening a few blocks from their elite communities that has resulted from their ideologies.
In conclusion, the chapter abut tribalism was very interesting. The rest was about specifics of political machinations without an explanatory overarching narrative besides “leftists are bad, elites are bad” which wasn’t terribly interesting or new. Would have loved to know more about the specifics and development stages of moving into and out of collective tribalism in a society. Nevertheless the single great chapter compensates for the rest of the lesser chapters.
The first modern civilizations in ancient Greece and Rome supplanted tribalism with the idea of Citizenship in a lawful society where all the Citizens share similar values. This inevitably led to an explosion of ideas, inventions, art and prosperity that had never been seen. Becoming a citizen of Rome was an important and honorable event but eventually this idea was diluted into meaninglessness by inviting anyone to become a citizen without any real requirements. Thus the dichotomy between citizenship and tribalism was overcome by the latter and eventually Rome fell.
Similarly, America was founded as the first country whose Constitution was based on enlightenment philosophy of freedom, individualism and rationality. Here, again, citizenship was something that supplanted tribalism with common belief in freedom and rationality. We could see similar narratives in Europe and some other places but the point is that most societies have been tribalistic and in order for them to become successful, prosperous and great places to live, they must overcome tribalism.
Now all this will lead to a clash of civilizations eventually as one of the tenets of success in a modern individualist society is self-criticism. This comes along with free and non-hierarchical frameworks of exchanging ideas and knowledge which is also a mandatory precursor for the development of science. The problem with self-criticism is that tribalistic societies which fundamentally lack self-criticism will be attracted to exploit this weakness to benefit themselves on behalf of the host country. Another core idea to keep in mind is that tribalistic societies are quick to benefit and exploit the fruits and benefits of other individualistic countries without attaining the values that led to those benefits. Examples would be some extremely prosperous Middle Eastern countries which retain the backward tribalistic nature in their laws, customs and way of life. Another example would be Chinese extremely fast increase in wealth of the general population due to its allowing some degree of capitalism to function in its borders while remaining a communist dictatorship with extremely backwards tribalistic, racialist views and practices.
The nature of tribalism and individualism is described and contrasted nicely by the author and the core idea delivered to the reader is that the values that led to our prosperous and free societies are being actively eroded and deformed to benefit a small elite minority of extremely rich snobs. These ideas might make these people feel good about themselves but if put in practice, will result in a dystopia unsuitable for life. Examples are abound from California, a U.S. state led by a unilaterally democratic state, practicing the trendy leftist ideas of unlimited illegal immigration, sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, race segregated college campuses, mandatory race quotas and so on. This coupled with endless government regulations has made California into a hellish shadow of its former glory full of crime, homelessness, human waste and rampant drug use contrasted with the extreme wealth of Silicone Valley and the separate ultra-wealthy communities. All this is a reminder that globalist ideals of the elites who control the media companies might sound meretriciously elegant and give a warm fuzzy feeling but in actual practice, will result in literal hell. These elites have no loyalties to the values, freedom and sacrifices that have enabled the environment for them to acquire their wealth. They purportedly care about a general humanity but they scoff at the actual unnecessary suffering happening a few blocks from their elite communities that has resulted from their ideologies.
In conclusion, the chapter abut tribalism was very interesting. The rest was about specifics of political machinations without an explanatory overarching narrative besides “leftists are bad, elites are bad” which wasn’t terribly interesting or new. Would have loved to know more about the specifics and development stages of moving into and out of collective tribalism in a society. Nevertheless the single great chapter compensates for the rest of the lesser chapters.
December 6, 2021
I was critical of Steven Pinker's Enlightenment now because he used it to be an anti Trump screed, and I am similarly critical of The Dying Citizen because of it pro Trump emphasis both books cheapen their important messages by mixing their stance on Trump with their scholarship on important issues. That being said this is another of those books which should be read by many but will not be because VDH is a conservative and the message of the book will be taken badly by those who will not and cannot treat an argument by the other side with anything other than contempt.
VDH defines citizenship and its meaning from classical times to the present showing how vital it has been to the success of nations and to the maintenance of peace and order. He then shows in closely reasoned logic that current political and social trends have undermined the notion and meaning of citizenship and replaced it with tribalism and real social anomie. He makes use of the war against Trump to spell out the ways in which the media and the globalization elites seek to destroy the meaning of citizen.
I found the book well written as are all of VDH's books and thought provoking and would encourage others to read it regardless of political leanings, but sadly I know those who should read it think they are above it and lack the courage to read it.
VDH defines citizenship and its meaning from classical times to the present showing how vital it has been to the success of nations and to the maintenance of peace and order. He then shows in closely reasoned logic that current political and social trends have undermined the notion and meaning of citizenship and replaced it with tribalism and real social anomie. He makes use of the war against Trump to spell out the ways in which the media and the globalization elites seek to destroy the meaning of citizen.
I found the book well written as are all of VDH's books and thought provoking and would encourage others to read it regardless of political leanings, but sadly I know those who should read it think they are above it and lack the courage to read it.
February 2, 2023
Our nation was founded on, among other factors, the ideals of good citizenship, with each member of our republic taking personal responsibility for the benefit of the whole. That perspective of citizenship as a duty has largely been lost, with many of today's "citizens" considering that moniker a key to entitlements and rights, focusing on individual or group gain and benefits rather than personal responsibilities and commitments.
As Lou Holtz said at the time, “In the nineties, everybody wants to talk about their rights and privileges. Twenty-five years ago, people talked about their obligations and responsibilities.” He was describing his observations regarding athletes in particular, but the same holds true for the population writ large.
In this book, the author explains the history and decline of the once cherished idea of American citizenship, and describes a number of factors and forces working to degrade or eliminate that concept in our current age.
While the author's conservative preferences do become apparent, the vast majority of his arguments are both well-supported and logical.
Regardless of your political persuasion, this text provides excellent food for thought in its effort to address some foundational ills of today's society. Highly recommended!
As Lou Holtz said at the time, “In the nineties, everybody wants to talk about their rights and privileges. Twenty-five years ago, people talked about their obligations and responsibilities.” He was describing his observations regarding athletes in particular, but the same holds true for the population writ large.
In this book, the author explains the history and decline of the once cherished idea of American citizenship, and describes a number of factors and forces working to degrade or eliminate that concept in our current age.
While the author's conservative preferences do become apparent, the vast majority of his arguments are both well-supported and logical.
Regardless of your political persuasion, this text provides excellent food for thought in its effort to address some foundational ills of today's society. Highly recommended!
December 19, 2022
A MUST READ! A brilliant writing and read and will enlighten all who reads it with respect to human history. Our country was founded upon the inalienable rights of man, i.e. the "citizen." The citizenry is who makes up this country and we have given up certain rights in order to permit the government to govern, but have they usurped and gone beyond their scope and powers set forth within the U.S. Constitution? Many think so!
The slow, cruel demise of the middle class is setting the United States up for another round of elite and serf. But we had a Revolutionary war to handle that, right? Yes we did; however, with the advent of historical statues being torn down, cities being destroyed without repercussion and the obliteration and rewriting of history does, in fact, make it difficult (if not impossible) to determine our true history. This book will help place things back into perspective!
The slow, cruel demise of the middle class is setting the United States up for another round of elite and serf. But we had a Revolutionary war to handle that, right? Yes we did; however, with the advent of historical statues being torn down, cities being destroyed without repercussion and the obliteration and rewriting of history does, in fact, make it difficult (if not impossible) to determine our true history. This book will help place things back into perspective!
February 6, 2024
Mr. Hanson makes a compelling argument about his concerns on the present and future of the United States. He argues that the 2020 election was a repeat of the revolutions of 1848, 1917 and 1968.
Mr. Hanson quotes the sociologist Robert Nisbet:
"As everyone knows, it has been since, World War Two under FDR, a constantly widening cloak or umbrella for government actions of every conceivable degree of power, stealth, and cunning by an ever-expanding corps of government officials. As we now know in detail, the utilization of the FBI and other paramilitary agencies by the President and other high executive department officers for the purposes of eavesdropping, electronic bugging, and similarly intimate penetrations of individual privacy goes straight back to FDR, and the practice has only intensified and widened ever since. Naturally, all such royalist invasions have been justified, right down to Watergate under the name of national security."
Mr. Hanson quotes the sociologist Robert Nisbet:
"As everyone knows, it has been since, World War Two under FDR, a constantly widening cloak or umbrella for government actions of every conceivable degree of power, stealth, and cunning by an ever-expanding corps of government officials. As we now know in detail, the utilization of the FBI and other paramilitary agencies by the President and other high executive department officers for the purposes of eavesdropping, electronic bugging, and similarly intimate penetrations of individual privacy goes straight back to FDR, and the practice has only intensified and widened ever since. Naturally, all such royalist invasions have been justified, right down to Watergate under the name of national security."
March 20, 2022
Excellent book by Victor Davis Hanson on the concept of citizenship, and how progressive elites are destroying the idea of America. I have always enjoyed listening to Victor Davis Hanson on various cable news channels. He is brilliant and very informative. His delivery is a bit on the dry side, and this book is the same way...a bit on the dry side, but well written and very informative. Hanson quotes Mark Twain in the introduction, which basically sums up the concept of what this book is about, "Citizenship is what makes a republic; monarchies can get along without it. What keeps a republic on its legs is good citizenship." In his book, Hanson details the forces which are attempting to destroy the concept of citizenship and in doing so, the basic American way of life. These forces include economic stagnation, open borders, racial discord, and un-elected bureaucrats and globalists.
August 22, 2025
The early chapters discuss how race, ethnicity, class, immigration status, income, and age can influence the concept of citizenship in modern America. It's an worthwhile intellectual discussion that I enjoyed. He condemns identity politics and talks about how generations of immigrants contribute to the concept of American identity over time.
Later chapters devolve into complaining about people who complain about Trump. I never enjoy this kind of talk, as I think it's fruitless. He goes on rants about recent political events and backbiting (as of 2021). He criticizes leftists and Washington bureaucracy. In some spots, it feels like he just wanted to complain about what was happening in the news on the day he sat down to write that section. I may agree with him on many points, but I don't think it makes for a good book.
Toward the end, he swings back around to some discussion of civics and governmental structure. But by then he had lost me, and he never quite wins me over again.
Later chapters devolve into complaining about people who complain about Trump. I never enjoy this kind of talk, as I think it's fruitless. He goes on rants about recent political events and backbiting (as of 2021). He criticizes leftists and Washington bureaucracy. In some spots, it feels like he just wanted to complain about what was happening in the news on the day he sat down to write that section. I may agree with him on many points, but I don't think it makes for a good book.
Toward the end, he swings back around to some discussion of civics and governmental structure. But by then he had lost me, and he never quite wins me over again.
November 27, 2022
This book was fascinating, and the subject matter is so broad that reviewing it is going to be challenging. Victor Davis Hanson is one of my favorite right leaning historians, mostly because I find his writing style appealing. If you've ever read historians you'll know they tend to be D-R-Y. Hanson is refreshingly talented with words and doesn't pretend to be unbiased. I recommend this book for my friends on the left because it is a clear depiction of the feelings on the right and I think its important to consider all sides.
The theme of this book is simple, the concept of citizenship of the United States is dying. I had to pause at points and ponder why he felt certain points turn towards this thesis. In Hanson view, instead of seeing ourselves as a part of a nation, which is in turn part of a wider world, Americans increasingly see themselves as global citizens or by tribal identities such as race (I actually had to unwoke myself for some of the beginning. I refuse to accept the new definition of racism based on power and want to stick to the classic definition of racism, which is discrimination based on racial characteristics. This is somwthing i changed based on the behavior of those touting each definition, and now I despise linguistic hijacking, create a new term for new concepts, sneaky DEI scholars).
He has used open border temporary immigration without assimilation as a first example. He also discussed the resurgence of racial pride and racial identity. Globalization, global citizenship versus national citizenship and the conflicts this creates when it turns into acquiescence to dictatorships (looking at you, NBA).
I don't know if I agree about his ideas of illegal immigration hurting the concept of citizenship. Maybe for first generation or so, but that it was also common for Italian or Irish peoples to hang with their own upon initial establishment in their new home. My home state of Minnesota has a lovely Scandinavian lilt in its accent because it attracted so many Norse and Swedes, though one wouldn't know where that came from, today. His argument for those who work illegally and send $$ back to their home countries has quite a few more teeth, as does his discussion of Fentanyl and the damage it has caused. I have my own concerns about illegal immigration that neither the right nor the left ever discusses (they are interestingly based on citizenship, protecting both sides of the border by making sure we vet those crossing to avoid new criminals or more human trafficking, a good host doesn't let his guests harm his family members or fellow visitors).
His argument about the shrinking middle class should be a concern for all Americans. A growing middle class usually increases the prosperity of all classes, but a shrinking middle class generally lands most people in the lower class while the gap between the rich and the poor lifestyle expands exponentially. The middle class is his best argument, I think.
I never thought about the ideas of equity and DEI quite the same way as Hanson, so it was kind of fun to stretch my brain to see how that has indeed created a new tribalism and increased racism with both legitimate and illegitimate sleights.
The idea of global citizenship was difficult for me because I'm mostly a global scholar and it always makes me thankful to be an American. My reactions to things never fit in the right or left of mainstream, however, so it was interesting to digest a new perspective. I do have my own ideas of global responsibility (I avoid slave made products if I can help it so I never buy from Nike or Apple and avoid made in China, for example), and I do think its important to be a global citizen, but there is just something sturdy about the argument of cleaning things up in your own home before you try to export your methods (kind of like trusting a dysfunctional couple to give relationship advice).
Interesting book, stretched my mind, solid read and VDH doesn't disappoint.
The theme of this book is simple, the concept of citizenship of the United States is dying. I had to pause at points and ponder why he felt certain points turn towards this thesis. In Hanson view, instead of seeing ourselves as a part of a nation, which is in turn part of a wider world, Americans increasingly see themselves as global citizens or by tribal identities such as race (I actually had to unwoke myself for some of the beginning. I refuse to accept the new definition of racism based on power and want to stick to the classic definition of racism, which is discrimination based on racial characteristics. This is somwthing i changed based on the behavior of those touting each definition, and now I despise linguistic hijacking, create a new term for new concepts, sneaky DEI scholars).
He has used open border temporary immigration without assimilation as a first example. He also discussed the resurgence of racial pride and racial identity. Globalization, global citizenship versus national citizenship and the conflicts this creates when it turns into acquiescence to dictatorships (looking at you, NBA).
I don't know if I agree about his ideas of illegal immigration hurting the concept of citizenship. Maybe for first generation or so, but that it was also common for Italian or Irish peoples to hang with their own upon initial establishment in their new home. My home state of Minnesota has a lovely Scandinavian lilt in its accent because it attracted so many Norse and Swedes, though one wouldn't know where that came from, today. His argument for those who work illegally and send $$ back to their home countries has quite a few more teeth, as does his discussion of Fentanyl and the damage it has caused. I have my own concerns about illegal immigration that neither the right nor the left ever discusses (they are interestingly based on citizenship, protecting both sides of the border by making sure we vet those crossing to avoid new criminals or more human trafficking, a good host doesn't let his guests harm his family members or fellow visitors).
His argument about the shrinking middle class should be a concern for all Americans. A growing middle class usually increases the prosperity of all classes, but a shrinking middle class generally lands most people in the lower class while the gap between the rich and the poor lifestyle expands exponentially. The middle class is his best argument, I think.
I never thought about the ideas of equity and DEI quite the same way as Hanson, so it was kind of fun to stretch my brain to see how that has indeed created a new tribalism and increased racism with both legitimate and illegitimate sleights.
The idea of global citizenship was difficult for me because I'm mostly a global scholar and it always makes me thankful to be an American. My reactions to things never fit in the right or left of mainstream, however, so it was interesting to digest a new perspective. I do have my own ideas of global responsibility (I avoid slave made products if I can help it so I never buy from Nike or Apple and avoid made in China, for example), and I do think its important to be a global citizen, but there is just something sturdy about the argument of cleaning things up in your own home before you try to export your methods (kind of like trusting a dysfunctional couple to give relationship advice).
Interesting book, stretched my mind, solid read and VDH doesn't disappoint.
December 31, 2023
This should be REQUIRED reading for every American citizen. Hanson lays out the importance of being a citizen and the multitude of ways today's progressives are attempting to dismantle and minimize the importance of our citizenry.
Fascinating read, great breakdown throughout the entire book.
Fascinating read, great breakdown throughout the entire book.
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