Introduction
In "Suicide of the West," Jonah Goldberg presents a compelling argument for the preservation of Western civilization and its core values. He contends that the prosperity, freedom, and progress we enjoy today are the result of a miraculous transformation that began in the late 17th century. This "miracle," as Goldberg calls it, lifted humanity out of the brutal conditions that had defined most of human history and ushered in an era of unprecedented wealth, innovation, and peace.
However, Goldberg warns that this miracle is now under threat from various forces, including tribalism, identity politics, and the erosion of liberal institutions. The book serves as both a celebration of Western achievements and a call to action to protect and nurture the values that made these achievements possible.
The Miracle of Modernity
A Revolutionary Change
Goldberg begins by painting a stark picture of human history before the miracle. For most of our existence, life was, as Thomas Hobbes famously described, "nasty, brutish, and short." Poverty and violence were the norm, and progress was painfully slow.
Around 1700, something extraordinary happened. A series of innovations and changes in societal organization led to a dramatic improvement in human living conditions. This wasn't just a minor step forward; it was a quantum leap that fundamentally altered the course of human history.
The Economic Revolution
One of the most visible signs of this miracle was the unprecedented economic growth that followed. Before 1700, most people lived on the equivalent of about $1 a day. After this pivotal moment, incomes began to rise dramatically. Global GDP per capita, which had remained stagnant for centuries, started an upward trajectory that continues to this day.
The Intellectual Revolution
But the miracle wasn't just about material wealth. It also brought about a revolution in ideas. New concepts about how to structure society and government emerged in the West. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 in England, for example, led to the Bill of Rights, which set clear limits on monarchical power and gave more authority to parliament. This was one of the first instances in history where the right of elected representatives to govern in the name of the people was formally established.
The Fertile Soil of England
Goldberg argues that it's no coincidence the miracle first took root in England. The country possessed a unique combination of factors that made it particularly receptive to these revolutionary changes.
The Common Law System
One crucial element was England's common law system. Unlike the civil law used in much of Europe, common law provided a set of precedents that judges could use to inform their decisions. This system inherently limited the power of monarchs and provided a foundation for the rule of law.
Geographic Advantage
England's island location also played a role. Being naturally protected from invasion, English rulers were less focused on maintaining large standing armies. This led to a society that was less militaristic and more open to liberal ideas.
Strong Civil Society
Finally, England had a robust civil society characterized by what Alexis de Tocqueville called "the spirit of individuality." This encouraged free association between equals, forming the bedrock of a strong civil society.
Triumphing Over Human Nature
What makes the miracle truly remarkable is that it succeeded despite some of the less savory aspects of human nature. Goldberg argues that humans are naturally prone to violence, distrust, and tribalism.
Innate Morality and Tribalism
Studies of infants suggest that humans have an innate sense of morality. However, we also have a deep-seated tendency towards tribalism. This tribal instinct, while useful for survival in primitive societies, can also lead to violence and conflict.
Violence in Traditional Societies
Goldberg cites anthropological studies of traditional societies to illustrate how violent life can be without modern institutions. In some tribes, a significant percentage of adult males have participated in killing, and violence is often a source of pride rather than shame.
The Miracle's Achievement
One of the great achievements of the miracle, according to Goldberg, was to put a lid on these darker aspects of human nature. As Steven Pinker has shown, violence has become far less common in modern societies than it was in prehistoric times.
The Philosophical Divide
The emergence of modernity sparked intense debate among Enlightenment philosophers, particularly between John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Their disagreement centered on the role of the state and the nature of human beings.
Locke's Vision
Locke argued that the modern state exists to protect individuals' inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property. He saw these rights as the things that couldn't be safeguarded in the "state of nature," where disputes were settled by force rather than law.
Rousseau's Counter-Argument
Rousseau, on the other hand, believed that humans are inherently good but corrupted by society. He argued that the state should protect the collective interests of society rather than individual rights. Rousseau's ideas about the "General Will" would later be used to justify authoritarian regimes.
Ongoing Relevance
Goldberg emphasizes that this philosophical divide is not merely of historical interest. The tension between individual rights and collective interests continues to shape political debates today and will play a crucial role in determining whether the miracle survives.
The Necessity of Aristocracy
In an era of growing anti-establishment sentiment, Goldberg makes a controversial argument: elitism, properly understood, is not inherently bad. In fact, he contends that a form of meritocratic aristocracy is both natural and necessary.
Meritocratic Aristocracy
Goldberg points out that the word "aristocracy" literally means "rule by the best." In a true aristocracy, power is earned through proven excellence, not inherited through titles. He argues that such a system can be beneficial to society as a whole.
The Vanderbilt Example
To illustrate this point, Goldberg cites the example of Cornelius Vanderbilt, who built America's first railroads. While Vanderbilt became incredibly wealthy, his work also dramatically lowered the price of basic commodities, benefiting the entire country.
The Need for Checks and Balances
However, Goldberg acknowledges the dangers of unchecked elite power. He uses the example of Venice to show how even meritocratic systems can calcify into hereditary rule without proper safeguards. This is why the Founding Fathers of the United States were so keen on establishing a system of checks and balances.
Erosion of Meritocracy
Goldberg argues that one of the problems facing America today is that its ruling class has become less meritocratic over time. The system of checks and balances envisioned by the Founding Fathers has been eroded, leading to a concentration of power that threatens the miracle.
The Administrative State: A Threat to Democracy
Goldberg identifies the growth of the administrative state as a major factor in the decline of American democracy and the erosion of the miracle. He pinpoints 1913 as a crucial year when President Woodrow Wilson created what Goldberg sees as a fourth branch of government.
Unelected and Unaccountable
The administrative state, Goldberg argues, is staffed by unelected bureaucrats who are virtually impossible to fire. This creates a class of people who are effectively above the law, able to make and enforce regulations without direct accountability to the public.
Stifling Innovation
Goldberg contends that the administrative state throttles innovation through excessive regulation. He compares the modern licensing system to medieval guilds, which controlled access to various trades and stifled economic progress.
Deepening Inequality
Contrary to its stated aims, Goldberg argues that the administrative state actually deepens income inequality. By creating barriers to entry in various professions through licensing requirements, it prevents low-skilled workers from entering the job market and climbing the economic ladder.
Political Consequences
The growth of the administrative state has had significant political consequences. Goldberg suggests that the disenfranchisement felt by many working-class Americans, which contributed to the rise of populist movements like Trumpism, can be traced back to the overreach of the administrative state.
The Threat of Identity Politics
Goldberg identifies identity politics as another major threat to the miracle of Western civilization. He argues that by emphasizing racial, gender, and other group identities over individual merit, identity politics undermines the core principle of equality that is central to the American dream.
Rejection of Color Blindness
One of the key issues Goldberg highlights is the growing rejection of the ideal of color blindness. He argues that this ideal, which was central to the civil rights movement led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., is being abandoned in favor of a hyper-focus on racial and gender differences.
Essentializing Identity
Identity politics, according to Goldberg, reduces people to just one aspect of their identity. This not only oversimplifies the complexity of human beings but also encourages a tribal mentality that divides rather than unites society.
The Backlash Effect
Goldberg warns that identity politics can create a dangerous backlash. He argues that the rise of white identity politics, which contributed to Donald Trump's electoral success, is partly a reaction to left-wing identity politics.
Tribalism Resurgent
Ultimately, Goldberg sees identity politics as a resurgence of the tribal instincts that the miracle of Western civilization had managed to keep in check. By emphasizing group identity over individual merit, it threatens to undo one of the great achievements of modernity.
Preserving Western Civilization
In the face of these threats, Goldberg argues that we must take active steps to preserve Western civilization and the miracle that made it possible. He outlines several key areas where action is needed.
Strengthening the Family
Goldberg sees the family as a crucial bulwark against tribalism. He argues that parents play a vital role in educating children about the "unnatural" but beneficial ideals of liberalism and capitalism that underpin Western civilization.
Upholding Constitutional Values
The United States, Goldberg argues, is unique in that its founding was a conscious attempt to enshrine the principles of the miracle in a constitutional framework. He emphasizes the importance of fighting to uphold these constitutional values in the face of challenges.
Resisting Governmental Overreach
Goldberg calls for resistance against the expansion of the administrative state and other forms of governmental overreach that threaten individual liberty and democratic accountability.
Promoting Meritocracy
To counter the negative effects of identity politics, Goldberg advocates for a renewed commitment to meritocracy and individual achievement rather than group identity.
Fostering Civil Society
Finally, Goldberg emphasizes the importance of a strong civil society, characterized by free association and voluntary cooperation, as a counterweight to both tribal instincts and overreaching government.
The Stakes of the Struggle
Goldberg concludes by emphasizing the high stakes of the current cultural and political struggles. The miracle that brought about Western civilization was not inevitable, and its continuation is not guaranteed. If we fail to protect and nurture the core values that made the miracle possible, we risk losing the unprecedented freedom, prosperity, and progress that we have come to take for granted.
The Uniqueness of the Western Achievement
Goldberg reminds readers that the achievements of Western civilization – its commitment to individual liberty, equality under the law, and economic freedom – are historically unique. These values are not universal or inevitable, but the result of specific cultural and institutional developments.
The Fragility of Progress
The book serves as a warning that progress can be reversed. The tribal instincts and authoritarian tendencies that the miracle kept in check are always waiting to resurface. Without constant vigilance and active defense of liberal values, society could easily slip back into more primitive and violent forms of organization.
The Responsibility of Citizens
Ultimately, Goldberg argues that the preservation of Western civilization depends on the commitment of ordinary citizens to its core values. It's not enough to rely on institutions or laws; each generation must actively choose to uphold the principles that make the miracle possible.
A Call to Action
"Suicide of the West" is, in the end, a call to action. Goldberg urges readers to recognize the value of what Western civilization has achieved, to understand the threats it faces, and to take an active role in its defense. Only through such conscious effort, he argues, can we hope to preserve and extend the miracle for future generations.
Final Thoughts
Jonah Goldberg's "Suicide of the West" presents a passionate defense of Western civilization and a stark warning about the forces threatening its survival. While some may find his arguments controversial, the book provides a thought-provoking analysis of the cultural and political challenges facing modern liberal democracies.
Goldberg's central thesis – that the prosperity and freedom we enjoy today are the result of a fragile and historically unique set of circumstances – serves as a powerful reminder not to take our current way of life for granted. Whether one agrees with all of his prescriptions or not, the book succeeds in highlighting the importance of actively engaging with and defending the core values that have shaped Western society.
In an era of increasing polarization and cultural conflict, "Suicide of the West" offers a perspective that cuts across traditional political lines. It challenges both left and right to consider the foundations of our shared civilization and the responsibilities we all bear in preserving it. As such, it serves as an important contribution to ongoing debates about the future of Western democracy and the values that underpin it.