592 | Laura Field: How the MAGA New Right Took Power - From the Flight 93 Essay to Trump 2024

Harry Jaffa's "Crisis of the House Divided" is a seminal work exploring the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Jaffa analyzes Lincoln's arguments against Stephen Douglas, highlighting Lincoln's defense of natural rights and critique of popular sovereignty. The book emphasizes Lincoln's understanding of the Declaration of Independence as a foundational document for American political thought. Jaffa's interpretation of Lincoln's ideas has significantly influenced American conservative thought, particularly within the Claremont Institute. The book's enduring relevance lies in its exploration of fundamental questions about equality, liberty, and the nature of American democracy.

In this book, Jordan B. Peterson offers twelve profound and practical rules for living a meaningful life. He argues that happiness is a fleeting and unpredictable goal, and instead, people should seek meaning as a defense against the suffering inherent in life. The book is divided into chapters, each representing one of the twelve rules, such as 'Stand up straight with your shoulders back,' 'Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping,' and 'Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient). ' Peterson draws on examples from his clinical practice, personal life, cutting-edge psychology, philosophy, and ancient myths to provide a guide for personal improvement and coping with adversity.

In 'Why Liberalism Failed,' Patrick J. Deneen critiques both classical liberalism (often called libertarianism) and progressive/modern liberalism. He argues that liberalism has created contradictions such as fostering material inequality despite advocating for equal rights, discouraging civic commitments in favor of privatism, and giving rise to a comprehensive state system while pursuing individual autonomy. Deneen contends that liberalism's success is generating its own failure, leading to issues like income inequality, cultural decline, atomization, and the erosion of freedoms. The book examines the outcomes of the growth of the state, the construction of the free market, and the effects of technology on freedoms and culture.

In 'The Virtue of Nationalism,' Yoram Hazony presents a case for the nation-state as the optimal form of government, emphasizing its role in protecting personal and collective freedom. He argues that nationalism, based on bonds of mutual loyalty to a shared culture and history, provides social cohesion and trust necessary for civil and political liberties. Hazony contrasts nationalism with both historical empires and modern forms of global governance, such as the United Nations, which he sees as imposing a universal standard that is intolerant of cultural differences. The book explores the historical roots of nationalism, particularly in the context of English, Dutch, and American Protestantism, and argues that a world of independent nations is more conducive to peace and freedom than a globalist or imperialist system.