Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Retreat of Western Liberalism
- Narrated by: Julian Elfer
- Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
The Retreat of Western Liberalism
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
In his widely acclaimed book Time to Start Thinking, Financial Times columnist and commentator Edward Luce charted the course of American economic and geopolitical 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 democratic liberalism - of which Donald Trump and his European counterparts are not the cause, but a 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 losers, and complacency about our system's durability - attitudes that have been emerging since the fall of the Berlin Wall, treated by the West as an absolute triumph over the East.
We cannot move forward without a clear diagnosis of what has gone wrong. Luce contrasts Western democratic and economic ideals, which rest on an assumption of linear progress, with more cyclical views of economic strength - symbolized by the 19th-century fall and present-day rise of the Chinese and Indian economies - and with the dawn of a new multipolar age.
Combining on-the-ground reporting with intelligent synthesis of the vast literature already available, Luce offers a detailed projection of the consequences of the Trump administration 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.
Listeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"A panorama of the unravelling world order as riveting as any beach read." (New Yorker)
What listeners say about The Retreat of Western Liberalism
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark H
- 04-07-19
Excellent Book
The concept of liberalism as opposed to the term was front and centre in this overview of inter personal, intra national and international power games and the author makes valid observations on populist decisions and popular movements even if they are not to the liking of all.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Happy Harry
- 20-06-18
brilliant
Brilliant book. Insightful and thorough. I wish everyone would read it. I wish people just read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Conor
- 23-12-17
Essential Reading For Understanding The Current State Of The West
Luce has painted a portrait of the political landscape facing the West which is neither hopeful nor comforting, but which nevertheless must be recognised. He outlines the underlying forces of a rising China, a European Union wracked by African and Middle Eastern immigration and backlash populism, and an America-under-Trump in which few thought leaders have learnt the lessons which produced the 2016 election result. Ultimately, it is a concise and compelling essay on the current shaky ground the West stands upon, which Julian Elfer narrates beautifully.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- G. A. Thart
- 08-07-18
Excellent book and a good analysis
Excellent analysis of current affairs. On some parts it good be more in depth and on some parts I have to disagree but generally a good analysis
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mark Runacres
- 06-02-18
Well researched and incredibly thought-provoking.
This extremely sophisticated analysis answers a lot of questions although we don't yet know if Mr Luce is right. His theories are certainly plausible and he brilliantly puts today's trends and players in a coherent historical perspective.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 29-12-18
Excellent discussion on the future of liberal democracies
Please can Ed read his next book himself. He has a wonderful voice. DSR nerd.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!