Rebellion

How Antiliberalism Is Tearing America Apart--Again

By: Robert Kagan

Narrated by: Jason Culp

Could the 2024 election have been the last free election held in a unified America? • "A dire warning of the right’s drift towards authoritarianism.” —Financial Times

Published in the run-up to Donald Trump’s victory, Rebellion sounded a chilling and clear-eyed warning about the threats posed to American democracy by the increasingly radicalized Republican Party. With the Trump administration in place, and attempting a systematic dismantling of the traditionally liberal principles on which America was founded, Robert Kagan’s lessons and insights have become only more urgent.

Kagan dives deeper than the op-eds and think pieces to explore the historical forces that brought us to a second Trump term—in particular the long history of opposition to liberalism, and to government, that has shaped America’s character from the time of the Revolution to today. Trump’s unique capacity to tap into that tradition of dissent and circumvent the American system has brought us to the edge of dissolution—not for the first time in our history but possibly the last.

Rebellion is an elegant and deeply informed synthesis of history, contemporary politics, and ideas that sheds light on this crucial moment.

Critic reviews

“Kagan details, mordantly, the anti-liberalism that emerged during and after the Civil War, a strain that, just as much as today’s version, insisted on a ‘Christian commonwealth’ founded essentially on wounded white working-class pride.” —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker

"A concise but thorough tour through the influence of American liberalism’s malign twin . . . Kagan manages to diagnose both the acute and chronic nature of our present crisis." —Alan Elrod, Liberal Currents

“A brilliant analyst and polemicist, Kagan argues that the 2024 presidential election could be the last free election held in a unified United States. He justifies this dire warning with a detailed account of the right’s drift towards authoritarianism—and traces the historical roots of Donald Trump’s appeal to a long tradition of anti-liberal thought in the US.” —Gideon Rachman and Frederick Studemann, Financial Times

“The chief, and at times reassuring, virtue of Rebellion is [its] historical perspective, alloyed with Kagan’s hopeful tone.” —Bill Thompson, Los Angeles Review of Books

“Engaging and often surprising.” —Brian Stewart, Commentary

"Comprehensive and compelling." —Jennifer Bort Yacovissi, Washington Independent Review of Books

"An alarming but useful perspective on antiliberalism....[A] timely, well-informed analysis....Kagan cogently examines the bright long-term prospects for the Founders’ concept of liberalism, especially with the nation’s rapidly changing demographics—if Trump does not win the election....A powerful, much-needed political and social analysis that all lovers of democracy should read."
—Kirkus (starred review)

Reference to contemporary political leaders.

You're wondering what brought about where the stubborn commitment to anti liberal came from, You'll be surprised at the answer. Kagan bases his statements on fact and he explains his reasoning well.

Superbly throughout and explained

I read everything Robert writes that I can get my hands on. Wise, fair and insightful. His writings on current Germany are fascinating to me since I love Western European history - its behaviors are a repeating theme, unfortunately, but true to itself.

Explains A Lot

Succinct, well written historical overview of many parts of US history from our insertion thru today. Excellent must read.

Historical background of rebellion should frighten us today

The author presented a verifiable analysis of why we should fear the election again of the narcissist Trump and why that could unravel two hundred years of democracy. Wish this could be turned into something that would garner the attention of white males who could become serious advocates of democracy and overcome their possible racial prejudice.

Brilliant Summary

THE BEST summarization of a nasty, complicated and messy political landscape. Kept me eager for more.

Hats to the author!!!