Summary of Tom Nichols' Our Own Worst Enemy

By IRB Media

Get the Summary of Tom Nichols' Our Own Worst Enemy in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. Original book introduction: In Our Own Worst Enemy, Tom Nichols challenges the current depictions of the rise of illiberal and anti-democratic movements in the United States and elsewhere as the result of the deprivations of globalization or the malign decisions of elites. Rather, he places the blame for the rise of illiberalism on the people themselves. Nichols traces the illiberalism of the 21st century to the growth of unchecked narcissism, rising standards of living, global peace, and a resistance to change. Ordinary citizens, laden with grievances, have joined forces with political entrepreneurs who thrive on the creation of rage rather than on the encouragement of civic virtue and democratic cooperation. While it will be difficult, Nichols argues that we need to defend democracy by resurrecting the virtues of altruism, compromise, stoicism, and cooperation--and by recognizing how good we've actually had it in the modern world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Dec 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781669344148

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

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Insights on Tom Nichols's Our Own Worst Enemy

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The author believes that the move towards authoritarian leftism is due to globalism and the revolt of the left behind. But the truth is much simpler and more sinister.

#2

But is it really better than ever before. We can always look back decades into the past and say that life is better than it was, and to insist that things are better than the absolute misery of some past era is to be the annoying grandfather at the Thanksgiving table droning on about tying cardboard to his feet for shoes during the Great Depression.

#3

Populist movements around the world are against liberal democracy, and are turning to anti-democratic alternatives. These include would-be dictators such as Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and India’s Narendra Modi.

#4

This is the dark side of the politics of victimhood, where people are called to action by the promises of a savior who will take them back to a glorious past, or propel them into a bright future.

#5

Modern standards of living are what the world can’t seem to handle - the idea of peace and prosperity is apparently too good to be true.

#6