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.

July 1, 2017

Financial Times columnist Luce follows up 2012's Time To Start Thinking: America in the Age of Descent with this book, which provides a glimpse into his postulation that the current political climate is both a symptom and result of years weakening liberal democracies. Luce's latest work excels in explaining the developmental history of Western democratic societies and challenging notions that this governmental model is durable enough to withstand the economic and political turmoil of present times. Luce drives home his argument regarding the volatility of Western democracies with examples and research broken down into four main segments: fusion, reaction, fallout and, half-life. For those who ascribe to Luce's theories on the current political climate, this just may be the right title at the right time as it weaves its call to action alongside projections concerning the results of the global rise of populism and present U.S. administration. VERDICT Presenting easy-to-comprehend political and economic information, this compelling read will appeal to both academics and general readers with an interest in governance.--Mattie Cook, Lake Odessa Comm. Lib., MI

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