The Downfall of Liberal Civilization
- Author(s)
- Richard Seymour
- Publication, year
- London ; New York : Verso, 2025
- Scope
- 304 Pages, 20 cm.
- ISBN
- 9781804294260
"Liberal civilisation is in crisis - now is a time of monsters." While the spotlight often shines on the actions of leaders such as Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, according to Seymour, the true peril lies elsewhere. Defeating these people will not stem the tide driving them forward, as they are merely the embodiment of profound forces that are rarely understood. Propelled through the vast networks of social media and fueled by far-right influencers, enthralled by images of disaster and fantasies of doom, they have emerged from a reservoir of societal despair, fear, and isolation. Within this seething cauldron, we witness not only the surge of far-right political movements but also the sparks of individual and collective violence against perceived enemies, from 'lone wolf' killers to terrifying pogroms. Should a new fascism emerge, it will coalesce from these very elements. This is disaster nationalism. Richard Seymour delves deep into this alarming development in world politics, dissecting its roots, its influencers, and the threats it poses. The battle against disaster nationalism is not just political; it is a struggle for our collective soul and the future of civilization itself. Unless we understand the deeper forces propelling the far-right resurgence, we have little chance of stopping it.
- Keywords
- fascism
- Location
- Cabinet 11C - 2: Filosofie ; Sociologie ; Maatschappij / Philosophy ; Sociology ; Society
- Remarks
- first published in 2024, with new preface in the 2025 edition by Seymour
- Contains
- notes , index
based on keyword
