The Retreat of Western Liberalism

May 1, 2017
With this wide-ranging account, Luce (Time to Start Thinking: America in the Age of Descent) enters the fray of books posing the post-2016 question “What just happened?” He begins with a summary of the current global economy’s formation and its connections to prevailing modes of governance. This leads into a history of liberal democracy, which Luce argues is held together most strongly by economic growth. In the absence of such growth, illiberal tendencies take hold. The author then explores the possible consequences of the decline of Western hegemony, including a theoretical war against China which Luce calls “not a prediction” but “a plausible extrapolation of the direction in which Trump is taking U.S. foreign policy.” The final section asks, briefly, what is to be done. Luce’s historical analysis is on point and he seems to understand the current situation as well as one could hope. One difficulty lies, however, is trying to predict the future in an era defined by a figure as mercurial as the 45th president. The main points are still relevant, even if some of the particulars will be dated before the book hits the shelves.

This audiobook argues that the rise of leaders who are challenging Western commitments to global connectedness, liberal freedoms, and the protection of refugees in both Europe and the U.S. presents the greatest threat to political order and to democracy since WWII. Narrator Julian Elfer delivers this message with conviction, supported by his strong, confident British accent and a firm tone that makes the author's meaning clear. Elfer also varies his pitch to keep us focused and pauses to let the words sink in. He doesn't miss a vowel and knows to emphasize the key words and phrases that underlie the audiobook's main themes. Many books on this topic have been published in the last six months; this one is certainly worth a listen. R.I.G. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine