Age of Anger Summary

“Why are people across the globe more angry, alienated, and disillusioned than ever before? Pankaj Mishra’s Age of Anger unravels this question by tracing the roots of our current turmoil to historical and philosophical forces.”

1. The Enlightenment Promised Much, But Delivered Little

The Enlightenment was a turning point in history, where thinkers championed reason, science, and individualism. The promise was a society based on equality, justice, and progress without religious constraints. Figures like Voltaire and Rousseau imagined a new order where knowledge and rationality would elevate humanity.

However, this idealistic vision did not align with reality. Instead of promoting fairness, Enlightenment principles highlighted social inequalities. Individuals focused on personal advancement, leading to competition and resentment. Poorer classes quickly recognized that while these philosophies were aspirational, they were far from practical for most.

This sense of inequality powered much of the anger and despair that persists today. People saw the gap between the world they were promised and the world they lived in. Such discontents have historically resulted in the rise of populist leaders, from Napoleon to modern-day figures like Donald Trump, feeding off societal unhappiness.

Examples

• The French Revolution stemmed from promises of “liberté, égalité, fraternité,” yet failed to deliver equal outcomes for all.
• Industrialization created wealth for a few but led to poor working conditions and poverty for the majority.
• The concept of the “American Dream” often highlights financial success but leaves many feeling they’ve been lied to.

2. Ressentiment: Fueling Social Frustration

The term ressentiment, coined by Søren Kierkegaard, paints a clear picture of today’s world. It describes the bitterness that arises when people feel cheated by a system that appears to reward a select few while preaching moral behavior to the rest. Powerlessness and anger grow in such an environment.

Modern society thrives on the fruits of this bitterness. For many, the incessant rise of elites — artists, politicians, tech moguls — feels like exploitation. These perceived beneficiaries of society’s inequality become symbols of unattainable success, feeding widespread resentment among the overlooked masses.

This dynamic also feeds into hostility toward ideas or individuals that challenge their worldview. The sense of exclusion or disenfranchisement pushes people to lash out, leading to conflict and polarization, both online and in real life.

Examples

• The rise of social media influencers has amplified feelings of inadequacy for those struggling in daily life.
• Anti-elite sentiments like "drain the swamp" became rallying cries in recent political movements, particularly in the United States.
• Disdain for institutions such as journalism reflects growing skepticism about those seen as out-of-touch with common struggles.

3. Amour-propre: The Anxiety of Living for Appearances

Rousseau described human self-esteem in terms of amour-propre, which is a kind of egoistic love. Unlike a healthy self-regard, this dependence on others’ approval makes individuals overly concerned with their societal image.

Modernity has amplified amour-propre. Social media thrives on people’s desire for likes, shares, and validation from strangers. Worrying about appearances creates a combative and selfish society. People grow consumed by comparing themselves to others while neglecting deeper human community connections.

This ever-escalating quest for status drives individuals to prioritize surface-level projections over genuine bonds. It leaves many feeling isolated, less empathetic, and driven by competition rather than collaboration.

Examples

• Instagram’s growth signifies how people curate their lives for approval, often at the expense of their mental well-being.
• FOMO (fear of missing out) results from constant exposure to others’ seemingly perfect lives online.
• Online trolling often stems from insecure individuals seeking affirmation through others’ negativity.

4. Rousseau’s Warning: Commerce and Competition Corrupt Society

Jean-Jacques Rousseau foresaw the dangers tied to unfettered commerce and the pursuit of wealth. Where others saw free enterprise as a path to liberation, Rousseau saw it as a corrupting force. Competition for resources and status, he warned, would unsettle society and harm individuals.

Wealth becomes less about practical usage and more about displaying status, further fueling amour-propre. The accumulation of possessions proves one’s place in society, yet contributes to disillusionment and moral decay. Both the poor (lacking wealth) and the rich (hoarding it) suffer under this dynamic.

Rousseau’s critique still resonates today. The endless cycle of materialism draws people further from contentment, replacing the quest for belonging or virtue with a shallow dependence on possessions.

Examples

• Technological innovation is often consumed not for utility but for status, as seen with luxury gadgets.
• The rise of fast fashion promotes overconsumption, even when it creates harmful environmental and labor consequences.
• Economic competition has widened the gap between the ultra-rich and the struggling working class.

5. Religion’s Misunderstood Role in Society

Contrary to his Enlightenment peers, Rousseau acknowledged religion’s psychological and social benefits. Organized religion offered people a sense of purpose, moral guidance, and a framework for community — aspects that philosophical rationalism struggled to replicate.

Critics like Voltaire overlooked these benefits, focusing only on religion's historical abuses. Misguided disdain for religion left many societies adrift, removing vital structures without offering replacements.

Religion, for Rousseau, wasn’t about spiritual truths but practical impacts. Societies need guiding principles or moral frameworks; stripping them away leaves a void that can easily be filled by dangerous ideologies or authoritarian promises.

Examples

• Post-Enlightenment Europe struggled with nihilism as secularism grew more prominent.
• Movements like ISIS packaged political grievances in religious language to create cohesion.
• Moral values tied to religion (honesty, charity) thrive less in hyper-individualistic societies.

6. Globalization Breaks Local Structures

Globalization has dissolved local bonds and replaced them with international networks. While it brings progress, it has stripped smaller communities of their cohesion. Many feel adrift, cut off from what once rooted their lives.

At the same time, globalization has eroded traditional identities. In response, people sometimes retreat into extreme nationalism or related ideologies in an effort to recapture purpose and belonging.

These dynamics create a fertile ground for discontent to fester. Globalization can work wonders economically but leaves psychological gaps in its wake.

Examples

• The decline of American manufacturing towns illustrates globalization's winners and losers.
• Brexit represented a backlash from communities feeling neglected by broader global trends.
• The rise of conspiracy theories reflects an attempt to regain control over an increasingly interconnected world.

7. Anger Turns Personal and Political

Modern anger isn’t just about personal grievances. It spills into politics, fueling movements that challenge the status quo. When people lose faith in institutions, they look to populist leaders who promise solutions through strength.

This anger, although justified in many cases, leads to fragmented societies. The focus shifts from problem-solving to blaming enemies, whether elites, outsiders, or foreign nations.

Populism thrives in such ruptures. Unfortunately, these movements often provide quick fixes rather than sustainable solutions, further deepening discontent.

Examples

• The election of Donald Trump highlighted distrust of traditional politics.
• Movements like France’s “yellow vests” reveal middle-class struggles with global capitalism.
• Anti-migrant rhetoric rises during economic downturns as people seek scapegoats.

8. The Failure of Liberal Capitalism

Liberal capitalism was once heralded as a system capable of lifting everyone. In practice, it has widened economic gaps and disillusioned the working and middle classes. The continuous push for consumption leaves people increasingly isolated and dissatisfied.

Economic disparities foster resentment among those left behind. Promises of prosperity fail when they don’t consider systemic inequalities.

This failure is mirrored not only in the West but also in other regions. Extremists often start as victims of these shortcomings before turning to more radical agendas.

Examples

• The 2008 financial meltdown showed the risks of unfettered capitalism.
• Youth unemployment rises globally despite innovation and productivity gains.
• Movements like Occupy Wall Street spotlight frustration with inequality.

9. Rethinking Civilization’s Conflicts

Simplistic narratives of “East versus West” misrepresent history. Instead of addressing the shared failures of globalized capitalism, these narratives stoke division. Demonizing one culture, like Islam, overshadows systemic habits that harm all parts of the world.

Huntington’s “Clash of Civilizations” theory contributed to this outlook by misleadingly presenting cultures as inherently incompatible. Breaking free from these divisive views requires fostering collaboration over confrontation.

Healing divides means acknowledging shared global struggles. By doing so, both sides can work toward better solutions.

Examples

• Post-9/11 rhetoric often lumped diverse Muslim populations together unfairly.
• International alliances addressing shared climate challenges show potentials for cooperation.
• Cultural exchanges through media and art combat global stereotypes.

Takeaways

1. Learn from history to better understand the roots of modern problems, especially the failures of Enlightenment promises.
2. Build personal resilience against social media-driven anxieties by fostering genuine connections outside digital spaces.
3. Question divisive narratives like the "Clash of Civilizations" and seek collaborative approaches to resolving global challenges.