To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus

In this two-episode conversation, Professor of National Security Affairs Tom Nichols joins Ron Steslow to discuss who is really to blame for the crisis in American democracy—and what we can do about it.

(01:43) Why it was difficult to write this book

(06:38) The feeling that we’re living in the “worst of times”

(15:32) Hedonistic adaptation

(18:22) Village Mentality and Banfield’s “Montegrano”

(29:03) The importance of public and private virtue 

(37:18) The danger of nostalgia in the rise of illiberalism 

Purchase Our Own Worst Enemy: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/our-own-worst-enemy-9780197518878

Politicology is supported by listeners like you. Can you pitch in right now at https://politicology.com/donate?

Follow Tom and Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RadioFreeTom

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices