Rebellion

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A chilling warning about the threats to democracy posed by the radicalization of the Republican Party, from a leading conservative historian. Since 2017, particularly after the January 6 insurrection, many Americans have feared a constitutional crisis that could paralyze our democratic institutions. Robert Kagan shares this concern, arguing that Donald Trump will run for president in 2024 and, if he loses, will likely refuse to accept the outcome. The disorganized “Stop the Steal” efforts of 2020 may evolve into a more powerful and systematic attempt to manipulate the election in his favor. Should Trump win or find a way back into office, the consequences are unpredictable. Kagan delves into historical forces that have shaped the current political landscape, examining compromises that led to slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow, as well as the “America First” movement and the fascism of the 1930s. He also considers modern conservatism's troubling attraction to autocratic leaders like Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán. Ultimately, he questions whether Trumpism is merely a temporary phenomenon centered around one individual or a more enduring political force. This work offers an elegant and informed synthesis of history, politics, and ideas, illuminating a critical moment in American democracy.