Overview

"""Insightful and harrowing . . . lucidly expounds on the erosion of the West's middle classes, the dysfunction among its political and economic elites and the consequences for America and the world.""--Michiko Kakutani, New York Times In his widely acclaimed book Time to Start Thinking, Financial Times chief US columnist and commentator Edward Luce charted the course of America's relative decline, proving to be a prescient voice on our current social and political turmoil. In The Retreat of Western Liberalism, Luce makes a larger statement about the weakening of western hegemony and the crisis of liberal democracy--of which Donald Trump and his European counterparts are not the cause, but a terrifying symptom. Luce argues that we are on a menacing trajectory brought about by ignorance of what it took to build the West, arrogance towards society's economic losers, and complacency about our system's durability--attitudes that have been emerging since the fall of the Berlin Wall. We cannot move forward without a clear diagnosis of what has gone wrong. Unless the West can rekindle an economy that produces gains for the majority of its people, its political liberties may be doomed. The West's faith in history teaches us to take democracy for granted. Reality tells us something troublingly different. Combining on-the-ground reporting with intelligent synthesis of the literature and economic analysis, Luce offers a detailed projection of the consequences of the Trump administration, the rise of European populism, and a forward-thinking analysis of what those who believe in enlightenment values must do to defend them from the multiple onslaughts they face in the coming years."

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9780802127396

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Reviews

Praise for Edward Luce: -Superb reporting . . . An unflinchingly brave book. Luce does not shy away from conclusions that are hard for many Americans to hear . . . Rather, he offers what is most needed now: an objective profoundly thoughtful look at the underpinnings of America's economic troubles.---Foreign Policy, on Time to Start Thinking -Indispensable . . . [Luce] is a keen observer.---Wall Street Journal, on In Spite of the Gods -Time to Start Thinking raises the right questions at the right moment, which is what books are supposed to do.---New York Times Book Review, on Time to Start Thinking -Superb . . . The blend of anecdote, history, and economic analysis makes In Spite of the Gods an endlessly fascinating, highly pleasurable way to catch up on a very big story.---New York Times, on In Spite of the Gods -Sophisticated and sympathetic . . . Richly evocative . . . Engaging . . . Sharp-witted prose.---Washington Post, on In Spite of the Gods -Carefully balanced and often startlingly evocative analysis and reportage.---Guardian (UK), on Time to Start Thinking -[Luce's] research is formidable . . . Stunning in its breadth.---New Yorker, on In Spite of the Gods -Following a personalized and anecdotal narrative style, Edward Luce covers a wide canvas that describes the causes and possible solutions for the current state of the US economy. . . . Luce hooks from the first sentence.---Businessworld, on Time to Start Thinking -Luce puts his finger right on some obvious and less obvious problems, all the time pointing the way out of the swamp. . . . Some of his observations are simply delightful . . . This book needs to be read as a dose of cold water, but also as a goad to action to change its sad prognosis before it is too late.---Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, on Time to Start Thinking -A superb new book.---Council on Foreign Relations, on Time to Start Thinking -In a tradition stretching back to de Tocqueville, sympathetic foreigners are often the keenest observers of American life. Edward Luce is one such person. He paints a highly disturbing picture of the state of American society . . . It rises far above the current political rhetoric by its measured reliance on facts rather than canned ideological posturing to reach its conclusions.---Francis Fukuyama, on Time to Start Thinking

One of the Washington Post's 50 notable works of nonfiction in 2017 An Amazon Top 100 Book of the Year Timely and informed, providing an important overview of the dynamics in an increasingly interconnected and fragmented planet . . . In his prescient 2012 book, Time to Start Thinking: America in the Age of Descent, Luce uncannily anticipated the politics of resentment and the bitter fights over immigration that would fuel 'Brexit' and last year's American election. And in this new book, he lucidly expounds on the erosion of the West's middle classes, the dysfunction among its political and economic elites and the consequences for America and the world. --Michiko Kakutani, New York Times Many around the globe sense a systemic crisis. To understand the nature of this crisis, we could not find a better guide than Edward Luce's The Retreat of Western Liberalism . . . Luce writes in fluid prose, moving from a telling statistic to a striking quotation. Throughout, one is struck by his command of the material and the activity of his prose--he is unsparing in his condemnation of the elites who didn't see this coming. --Fareed Zakaria, New York Times Book Review Mr. Luce offers a useful wake-up call to elites, urging them to focus on the very real struggles of America's besieged middle class before we all lose the freedom and democracy we cherish . . . [A] concise, accessible and valuable work. --Lawrence J. Haas, Wall Street Journal What the book offers is . . . a panorama of the unravelling world order as riveting as any beach read. Luce's project is to explain what the recent dark turn in Western politics--the rise of ultranationalism, populist demagoguery, cultural insularity, and social unrest--has to do with global economics. It's a story of trade balances and technological disruption, but also a withering dismantling of Western liberalism's faith in progress. --Elias Muhanna, New Yorker, What we're reading this summer A brisk, timely survey . . . Mr. Luce is a shrewd observer . . . At rapid pace and with telling statistics, Mr. Luce . . . gives a knowledgeable tour through the unmapped terrain in which Western politicians and governments must now operate. --Economist Edward Luce provides a terrifying view of the challenges facing the West. We have to hope that his prophecies are self denying--something that is more likely if his penetrating analysis gets the wide attention it richly deserves. --Lawrence Summers Read this book: In the three hours it takes you will get a new, bracing, and brilliant understanding of the dangers we in the democratic West now face. Luce is one of the smartest journalists working today, and his perceptions are priceless. --Jane Mayer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Dark Money The challenges to the West are outlined in detail--and they mainly come from within . . . For Luce, the combination of rising income inequality, vanishing economic mobility and distant technocracy has led to our moment's populist resurgence. --Carlos Lozada, Washington Post A head-clearing attempt to explore the underlying disorder and distemper in liberal democracy, in America and throughout the West . . . As this author states repeatedly, Trump is merely a symptom, not a cause, of this disorder. For readers looking for context, this primer is a good start. --Carla Seaquist, Huffington Post An informative look at the current state of world politics and economics . . . It's also a thought-provoking warning that history is not guaranteed. --Chris Schluep, Omnivoracious Important . . . Through his deep reporting and clear-headed analysis, Luce explains popular frustration with liberalism, and the resurgence of nationalism. --National Book Review, 5 hot books No one was more prescient about the economic malaise and popular resentment that has hit the United States than Edward Luce in his previous book, Time to Start Thinking. His new book, The Retreat of Western Liberalism, broadens that picture to cover the Western world. It is a must read for anyone trying to make sense of the waves of populism and nationalism we face today. --Liaquat Ahamed, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Lords of Finance What is the future of Western liberal democracy? How did it get into its current mess, and how will those origins shape its forthcoming evolution? This volume is the very best guide for starting to grapple with those questions. --Tyler Cowen, Founder of Marginal Revolution University In just 200 pages, [Luce] surveys economics, history, electoral politics, and international relations to paint a vision of the planet that's as worrying as it is realistic. --VICE [The Retreat of Western Liberalism] is really, really important . . . We strongly encourage you to buy it. --David Rothkopf, Foreign Policy's The E.R. podcast Luce does a masterful job of describing the contours of the rise of illiberal democracy in the west. --Benjamin Knoll, New York Journal of Books Beautifully written. --Times (UK) The great merit of Luce's brisk, pointed and fascinating book . . . is that it is far more than a disappointed liberal's angry tirade. His achievement it to put the rise of antiestablishment populism in a broader global economic context . . . In particular, he is memorably and rightly scathing about the self-regard of the Davos elite. --Literary Review (UK) Timely . . . [Luce's] writing has a vigour and sweep all too absent in the deadly prose of social scientists. --Financial Times (UK) A succinct and powerful accounting of the global failure of the political left and the subsequent revolt of the people against a system that they see, not without reason, as having failed and abandoned them. --Toronto Star Incisive . . . Luce combines some hard, and unsettling, facts about the 'stagnant' state of Western economies and societies, with perceptive, even provocative insights into their implications. --Vikas Datta, Business Standard Timely and thoughtful . . . A clear-eyed lament of liberalism's decline, and America stepping back and turning inward. --American Conservative Fantastic. I recommend that everyone buys it. --James Pethokoukis, American Enterprise Institute

Praise for The Retreat of Western Liberalism Edward Luce provides a terrifying view of the challenges facing the West. We have to hope that his prophecies are self denying--something that is more likely if his penetrating analysis gets the wide attention it richly deserves. --Lawrence Summers Read this book: In the three hours it takes you will get a new, bracing, and brilliant understanding of the dangers we in the democratic West now face. Luce is one of the smartest journalists working today, and his perceptions are priceless. --Jane Mayer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Dark Money No one was more prescient about the economic malaise and popular resentment that has hit the United States than Edward Luce in his previous book, Time to Start Thinking. His new book, The Retreat of Western Liberalism, broadens that picture to cover the Western world. It is a must read for anyone trying to make sense of the waves of populism and nationalism we face today. --Liaquat Ahamed, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Lords of Finance What is the future of Western liberal democracy? How did it get into its current mess, and how will those origins shape its forthcoming evolution? This volume is the very best guide for starting to grapple with those questions. --Tyler Cowen, Founder of Marginal Revolution University Praise for Edward Luce: Superb reporting . . . An unflinchingly brave book. Luce does not shy away from conclusions that are hard for many Americans to hear . . . Rather, he offers what is most needed now: an objective profoundly thoughtful look at the underpinnings of America's economic troubles. --Foreign Policy, on Time to Start Thinking Indispensable . . . [Luce] is a keen observer. --Wall Street Journal, on In Spite of the Gods Time to Start Thinking raises the right questions at the right moment, which is what books are supposed to do. --New York Times Book Review, on Time to Start Thinking Superb . . . The blend of anecdote, history, and economic analysis makes In Spite of the Gods an endlessly fascinating, highly pleasurable way to catch up on a very big story. --New York Times, on In Spite of the Gods Sophisticated and sympathetic . . . Richly evocative . . . Engaging . . . Sharp-witted prose. --Washington Post, on In Spite of the Gods Carefully balanced and often startlingly evocative analysis and reportage. --Guardian (UK), on Time to Start Thinking [Luce's] research is formidable . . . Stunning in its breadth. --New Yorker, on In Spite of the Gods In a tradition stretching back to de Tocqueville, sympathetic foreigners are often the keenest observers of American life. Edward Luce is one such person. He paints a highly disturbing picture of the state of American society . . . It rises far above the current political rhetoric by its measured reliance on facts rather than canned ideological posturing to reach its conclusions. --Francis Fukuyama, on Time to Start Thinking

Praise for The Retreat of Western Liberalism Edward Luce provides a terrifying view of the challenges facing the West. We have to hope that his prophecies are self denying--something that is more likely if his penetrating analysis gets the wide attention it richly deserves. --Lawrence Summers Read this book: In the three hours it takes you will get a new, bracing, and brilliant understanding of the dangers we in the democratic West now face. Luce is one of the smartest journalists working today, and his perceptions are priceless. --Jane Mayer, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Dark Money No one was more prescient about the economic malaise and popular resentment that has hit the United States than Edward Luce in his previous book, Time to Start Thinking. His new book, The Retreat of Western Liberalism, broadens that picture to cover the Western world. It is a must read for anyone trying to make sense of the waves of populism and nationalism we face today. --Liaquat Ahamed, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Lords of Finance What is the future of Western liberal democracy? How did it get into its current mess, and how will those origins shape its forthcoming evolution? This volume is the very best guide for starting to grapple with those questions. --Tyler Cowen, Founder of Marginal Revolution University [The Retreat of Western Liberalism] is really, really important . . . We strongly encourage you to buy it. --David Rothkopf, Foreign Policy's The E.R. podcast Praise for Edward Luce: Superb reporting . . . An unflinchingly brave book. Luce does not shy away from conclusions that are hard for many Americans to hear . . . Rather, he offers what is most needed now: an objective profoundly thoughtful look at the underpinnings of America's economic troubles. --Foreign Policy, on Time to Start Thinking Indispensable . . . [Luce] is a keen observer. --Wall Street Journal, on In Spite of the Gods Time to Start Thinking raises the right questions at the right moment, which is what books are supposed to do. --New York Times Book Review, on Time to Start Thinking Superb . . . The blend of anecdote, history, and economic analysis makes In Spite of the Gods an endlessly fascinating, highly pleasurable way to catch up on a very big story. --New York Times, on In Spite of the Gods Sophisticated and sympathetic . . . Richly evocative . . . Engaging . . . Sharp-witted prose. --Washington Post, on In Spite of the Gods Carefully balanced and often startlingly evocative analysis and reportage. --Guardian (UK), on Time to Start Thinking [Luce's] research is formidable . . . Stunning in its breadth. --New Yorker, on In Spite of the Gods In a tradition stretching back to de Tocqueville, sympathetic foreigners are often the keenest observers of American life. Edward Luce is one such person. He paints a highly disturbing picture of the state of American society . . . It rises far above the current political rhetoric by its measured reliance on facts rather than canned ideological posturing to reach its conclusions. --Francis Fukuyama, on Time to Start Thinking

<b>Praise for Edward Luce: </b> Superb reporting . . . An unflinchingly brave book. Luce does not shy away from conclusions that are hard for many Americans to hear . . . Rather, he offers what is most needed now: an objective profoundly thoughtful look at the underpinnings of America's economic troubles. <b>--<i>Foreign Policy</i>, on <i>Time to Start Thinking</i></b> Indispensable . . . [Luce] is a keen observer. <b>--<i>Wall Street Journal</i>, on <i>In Spite of the Gods</i></b> <i>Time to Start Thinking</i> raises the right questions at the right moment, which is what books are supposed to do. <b>--<i>New York Times Book Review</i>, on <i>Time to Start Thinking</i></b> Superb . . . The blend of anecdote, history, and economic analysis makes <i>In Spite of the Gods</i> an endlessly fascinating, highly pleasurable way to catch up on a very big story. <b>--<i>New York Times</i>, on <i>In Spite of the Gods</i></b> Sophisticated and sympathetic . . . Richly evocative . . . Engaging . . . Sharp-witted prose. <b>--<i>Washington Post</i>, on <i>In Spite of the Gods</i></b> Carefully balanced and often startlingly evocative analysis and reportage. <b>--<i>Guardian</i> (UK), on <i>Time to Start Thinking</i></b> [Luce's] research is formidable . . . Stunning in its breadth. <b>--<i>New Yorker</i>, on <i>In Spite of the Gods</i></b> Following a personalized and anecdotal narrative style, Edward Luce covers a wide canvas that describes the causes and possible solutions for the current state of the US economy. . . . Luce hooks from the first sentence. <b>--<i>Businessworld</i>, on <i>Time to Start Thinking</i></b> Luce puts his finger right on some obvious and less obvious problems, all the time pointing the way out of the swamp. . . . Some of his observations are simply delightful . . . This book needs to be read as a dose of cold water, but also as a goad to action to change its sad prognosis before it is too late. <b>--<i>Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</i>, on <i>Time to Start Thinking</i></b> A superb new book. <b>--Council on Foreign Relations, on <i>Time to Start Thinking</i></b> In a tradition stretching back to de Tocqueville, sympathetic foreigners are often the keenest observers of American life. Edward Luce is one such person. He paints a highly disturbing picture of the state of American society . . . It rises far above the current political rhetoric by its measured reliance on facts rather than canned ideological posturing to reach its conclusions. <b>--Francis Fukuyama, on <i>Time to Start Thinking</i></b>

Author Information

Edward Luce is a graduate from Oxford University in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He worked as a speech writer for the treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, worked as the South Asia bureau chief for the Financial Times, and is based in Washington DC as the Financial Times Washington columnist and commentator. He was formerly its Washington bureau chief. He is also the author of In Spite of the Gods: The Rise of Modern India and Time to Start Thinking: America in the Age of Descent.

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