Suicide of the West: An Essay on the Meaning and Destiny of LiberalismJames Burnham's 1964 classic, Suicide of the West, remains a startling account on the nature of the modern era. It offers a profound, in depth analysis of what is happening in the world today by putting into focus the intangible, often vague doctrine of American liberalism. It parallels the loosely defined liberal ideology rampant in American government and institutions, with the flow, ebb, growth, climax and the eventual decline and death of both ancient and modern civilizations. Its author maintains that western suicidal tendencies lie not so much in the lack of resources or military power, but through an erosion of intellectual, moral, and spiritual factors abundant in modern western society and the mainstay of liberal psychology. Devastating in its relentless dissection of the liberal syndrome, this book will lead many liberals to painful self-examination, buttress the thinking conservative's viewpoint, and incite others, no doubt, to infuriation. None can ignore it. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 17
Page 59
... favor ideas , in- stitutions or modes of conduct merely because they have been long established , because our ancestors accepted them ; their ancient lineage is , if anything , a ground for suspicion . We should , rather , be ready to ...
... favor ideas , in- stitutions or modes of conduct merely because they have been long established , because our ancestors accepted them ; their ancient lineage is , if anything , a ground for suspicion . We should , rather , be ready to ...
Page 60
... favor ; and the liberal is on occasion content to let well enough alone . But the difference in presumption , bias , trend , remains . The innovations favored by the liberal he usually calls " re- forms , " and liberals may be described ...
... favor ; and the liberal is on occasion content to let well enough alone . But the difference in presumption , bias , trend , remains . The innovations favored by the liberal he usually calls " re- forms , " and liberals may be described ...
Page 127
... favor of continuing it . L6 ) In order to get rid of ignorance , it is necessary and sufficient that there should be ample , universal education based on reason and sci- ence . L7 ) The bad institutions can be got rid of by democratic ...
... favor of continuing it . L6 ) In order to get rid of ignorance , it is necessary and sufficient that there should be ample , universal education based on reason and sci- ence . L7 ) The bad institutions can be got rid of by democratic ...
Contents
The Contraction of the West | 13 |
Who Are the Liberals? | 27 |
Human Nature and the Good Society | 46 |
Copyright | |
14 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Suicide of the West: An Essay on the Meaning and Destiny of Liberalism James Burnham Limited preview - 2014 |
Common terms and phrases
abstract Africa American liberalism Americans for Democratic attitude become century Chiclayo citizens colonialism communism communist conservative democracy Democratic Action disarmament economic egalitarian empire enemy equality eral European fact favor feel force free speech freedom goal guilt Hubert Humphrey human nature Hutchins ideals ideas ignorance individual institutions John Stuart Mill Justice less liberal doctrine liberal ideology liberal's liberalism's Liberty logical major mankind matter means ment merely Michael Oakeshott military modern liberalism moral Negroes non-liberals opinion pacifist peace perhaps persons political practical principles problem Professor progress race racial reactionary reality reason reform rule Salwyn Schapiro Schapiro Schlesinger sense Skid Row social society sort Soviet Soviet Union Suez Sukarno tendency theory things Third World tion truth United Nations universal values Vilfredo Pareto Walt Whitman Rostow West Western civilization Western nations Yalta York