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The Light That Failed: A Reckoning
The Light That Failed: A Reckoning
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In the early 1990s, hopes for the eastward spread of liberal democracy were high. And yet the transformation of Eastern European countries gave rise to a bitter repudiation of liberalism itself, not only there but also back in the heartland of the West.
In this work of political psychology, Ivan Krastev and Stephen Holmes argue that the supposed end of history turned out to be only the beginning of an Age of Imitation. Reckoning with the history of the last thirty years, they show that the most powerful force behind the wave of populist xenophobia that began in Eastern Europe stems from resentment at the post-1989 imperative to become Westernized.
Through this prism, the Trump revolution represents an ironic fulfillment of the promise that the nations exiting from communist rule would come to resemble the United States. In a strange twist, Trump has elevated Putin's Russia and Orbán's Hungary into models for the United States.
A note on book covers: while we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
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One Line Summary
Explores Western decline post-Cold War through political psychology.
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Who is this book for?
This book offers a thought-provoking look into the complex political shifts of recent decades. If you're interested in understanding how the West's assumptions about liberal democracy have been challenged and how populism and resentment shape today's politics, this could be a compelling read. The authors provide a nuanced analysis that invites reflection on recent history and its implications for the future.