{"product_id":"our-own-worst-enemy-the-assault-from-within-on-modern-democracy-9780197518878","title":"Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from Within on Modern Democracy","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eA contrarian yet highly engaging account of the spread of illiberal and anti-democratic sentiment throughout our culture that places responsibility on the citizens themselves.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOver the past three decades, citizens of democracies who claim to value freedom, tolerance, and the rule of law have increasingly embraced illiberal politicians and platforms. Democracy is in trouble--but who is really to blame? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eOur Own Worst Enemy\u003c\/em\u003e, 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\u003cbr\u003eilliberalism 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\u003cbr\u003eon 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\u003cbr\u003ehad it in the modern world. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eTrenchant, contrarian, and highly engaging, \u003cem\u003eOur Own Worst Enemy\u003c\/em\u003e reframes the debate about how democracies have ended up in this dire state of affairs and what to do about it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Oxford University Press, USA\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/19\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780197518878\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 272\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/07\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/01\/2021\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eForeword\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/26\/2021\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Tom Nichols","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40550925402293,"sku":"9780197518878","price":24.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_3aa8a0bf-35c4-451e-8de4-0db0363d7d07.jpg?v=1626793082","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/our-own-worst-enemy-the-assault-from-within-on-modern-democracy-9780197518878","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}