Key Takeaways
1. Citizenship Requires Economic Independence
The majority of the population cannot exercise and protect its rights of unfettered speech and behavior without the material security that only economic self-reliance and autonomy of the middle class ensure.
Economic autonomy is vital. True citizenship requires economic independence, allowing individuals to exercise their rights without being beholden to the wealthy or the state. The decline of the middle class, marked by debt, joblessness, and stagnant wages, creates a new form of "peasantry" dependent on government assistance or the wealthy elite.
The middle class is shrinking. The American middle class has been losing economic ground for nearly half a century, burdened by mounting household debt, static wages, and record student-loan burdens. This erosion leads to a society bifurcated into modern masters and peasants, where the government's role shifts from ensuring liberty to subsidizing the poor and exempting the wealthy.
Economic dependence endangers freedom. Without a strong middle class, participatory democracy, social tranquility, and cultural stability are threatened. The government's function shifts from ensuring liberty to subsidizing the poor and exempting the wealthy, who reciprocate by enriching and empowering the governing classes.
2. Citizenship Transcends Residency
Citizenship is synonymous with our freedoms and their protection by law and custom, which transcend individual governments and transient leaders of the day.
Citizenship is more than just living somewhere. Citizenship entails specific rights and responsibilities rooted in a shared history, culture, and legal framework. The increasing conflation of residency with citizenship, driven by mass immigration and the erosion of civic education, dilutes the value and protections afforded to citizens.
The quid pro quo of citizenship. Historically, immigrants were expected to assimilate, adopting a new American identity in exchange for freedom and opportunity. However, this bargain is threatened by the belief that residing in the U.S. without legal sanction guarantees the benefits of citizenship, while many citizens neglect their civic responsibilities.
Erosion of civic knowledge. The lack of civic education and the rise of identity politics contribute to the erosion of citizenship. When citizens are unaware of their constitutional rights and responsibilities, they become more vulnerable to government overreach and the erosion of their freedoms.
3. Tribalism Undermines National Unity
Once any nation goes tribal, however, eventually even those without easily identifiable ethnic ancestries or tribal affinities seek to reconstruct or invent them, if for no other reason than to protect themselves from the inevitable violence and factionalism on the horizon.
Shared identity is essential. A common culture and a collective civic sense of self are crucial for sustaining a unified nation. The rise of tribalism, where ethnic, racial, and tribal identities take precedence over national identity, fragments the idea of an American citizen and fuels social division.
Assimilation is key. The brutal bargain of assimilation, where individuals give up their primary identities for a shared American identity, is necessary for maintaining a cohesive society. Without it, superficial differences become recalibrated as essential, leading to violence and factionalism.
Tribalism's dangers. When loyalty to one's ethnic group or family supersedes loyalty to fellow citizens, a constitutional republic cannot exist. The absence of a collective civic sense of self leads to the fragmentation of the inclusive idea of an American citizen.
4. Unelected Bureaucracies Threaten Citizen Sovereignty
If the citizen cannot elect officials to audit, control, or remove the unelected, then he has lost his sovereign power.
Bureaucratic power is growing. An unelected federal bureaucracy has absorbed much of the power of the US Congress, creating more laws and regulations than elected representatives. This permanent bureaucracy outlasts elected officials, often at the expense of the citizen's sovereign power.
The deep state's influence. The permanent bureaucracy has overwhelmed even the office of the presidency, with elected officials often lacking sufficient knowledge to control the deeply embedded legions within the state. This bureaucratic elite believes it can and should preempt any elected official it deems dangerous.
Loss of control. The rise of the unelected bureaucracy threatens the citizen's ability to hold their government accountable. When citizens cannot elect officials to audit, control, or remove the unelected, they lose their sovereign power.
5. Evolutionary Ideologies Seek to Remake the Constitution
They envision an always improving, changing, and evolving Constitution that should serve as a global model for a vast, ecumenical brotherhood, requiring a global administrative state to monitor and enforce its ambitious idealism.
The Constitution is under attack. Some elites believe the Constitution is in dire need of radical alterations to fit the times, envisioning an always improving, changing, and evolving document that should serve as a global model for a vast, ecumenical brotherhood. This perspective often leads to calls for larger government and a more commanding administrative state to guarantee a mandated "equity."
The "evolutionaries" seek radical change. These "evolutionaries" feel Americans are currently stymied by an eighteenth-century constitutional albatross, one far too redolent of old, white, male, Christian values that supposedly have no relevance today. They accuse the Founders of lacking modern wisdom and the benefits of a constantly improving human nature.
Beyond classical citizenship. The evolutionaries are not shy in explaining why the Constitution, along with centuries-old traditions that followed from it, are now either inert or obstructive. They insist that we must formally scrap and replace many such fossilized concepts and even founding documents, in a trajectory toward a 51 percent, majority-vote-rules nation, without sufficient constitutional and long-accustomed guardrails.
6. Globalism Can Erode National Allegiance
On the one hand, they are cynical critics of American exceptionalism and nationalism. On the other, they wish to extend American-style democracy and liberal tolerance across the globe—but without much thought about where such singular ideas arose or why so much of the world has always resisted them.
Globalism prioritizes the world over the nation. Some Americans prefer to be rebranded as "citizens of the world," embracing an ancient but unworkable idea of cosmopolitanism driven by privileged utopians empowered by twenty-first-century global travel, finance, and communications. This perspective often leads to a focus on the distant and anonymous abroad, less so on concrete Americans nearby.
American interests are sacrificed. Globalism's architects focus on the distant and anonymous abroad, less so on concrete Americans nearby—as if theorizing about such misdemeanors as the use of plastic bags or natural gas use abroad can compensate for the failure to address the felonies of American homelessness, eroding wages, drug epidemics, and crushing student debt in their midst.
American exceptionalism is undermined. Globalists are often cynical critics of American exceptionalism and nationalism, yet they wish to extend American-style democracy and liberal tolerance across the globe—without much thought about where such singular ideas arose or why so much of the world has always resisted them. In the end, globalization may not westernize the planet so much as internationalize America.
7. The Erosion of Citizenship: A Modern Crisis
Contemporary events have reminded Americans that their citizenship is fragile and teetering on the abyss—and yet the calamities can also teach, indeed energize, them to rebuild and recover what they have lost.
Citizenship is under threat. The year 2020, in the manner of other revolutionary years, has peeled away the veneer of complacency and self-satisfaction, reminding Americans that their citizenship is fragile and teetering on the abyss. This crisis stems from a combination of economic, political, and cultural forces that are eroding the foundations of American citizenship.
The forces of erosion. These toxic forces and pernicious ideas have brought American citizenship—a 233-year-old idea able to transcend the conditions of its birth and accept women and those of races and ethnicities different from the majority culture fully into the political commonwealth—to the brink.
A call to action. Despite the challenges, the calamities can also teach, indeed energize, Americans to rebuild and recover what they have lost. By understanding the forces that are undermining citizenship, Americans can take steps to preserve and nourish it for future generations.
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FAQ
What is The Dying Citizen by Victor Davis Hanson about?
- Core argument: The book examines how progressive elites, tribalism, and globalization are eroding the traditional concept of American citizenship, threatening the republic’s foundations.
- Historical and contemporary lens: Hanson traces the evolution of citizenship from ancient Greece and Rome to modern America, highlighting the importance of economic autonomy, shared borders, and cultural assimilation.
- Current challenges: The work analyzes issues like the decline of the middle class, the rise of identity politics, and the expansion of bureaucratic power, all of which fragment national unity and weaken constitutional governance.
- Warning and urgency: Hanson warns that citizenship is not a given but an achievement that must be actively preserved, or the American experiment in self-government could be lost.
Why should I read The Dying Citizen by Victor Davis Hanson?
- Deep insight into citizenship: The book offers a historical and philosophical exploration of what citizenship means and why it is essential for a functioning republic.
- Contemporary relevance: Hanson connects ancient concepts to modern issues such as immigration, economic inequality, and political polarization, providing a framework to understand current American challenges.
- Call to civic action: Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own roles as citizens and the importance of preserving constitutional principles, civic responsibility, and national cohesion.
- Critical perspective: The book challenges prevailing narratives and offers a counterpoint to progressive and globalist ideologies, making it valuable for readers interested in political and cultural debates.
What are the key takeaways from The Dying Citizen by Victor Davis Hanson?
- Middle class as foundation: Economic self-sufficiency and a robust middle class are crucial for sustaining participatory democracy; their erosion leads to societal division between elites and peasants.
- Citizenship vs. residency: True citizenship requires allegiance to constitutional laws and a shared national identity, distinct from mere physical residency.
- Tribalism and fragmentation: The resurgence of tribal identities based on race, ethnicity, or religion undermines national unity and threatens democratic governance.
- Elite and bureaucratic overreach: Progressive elites and unelected bureaucracies often expand government power and redefine citizenship in ways that conflict with traditional American values.
- Fragility of republics: Republics can be lost quickly if citizens fail to uphold their duties, respect traditions, and resist forces that erode constitutional protections.
How does Victor Davis Hanson define citizenship in The Dying Citizen?
- Philosophical foundation: Drawing on thinkers like Immanuel Kant, Hanson defines citizenship as “lawful freedom,” where individuals obey only laws they consent to and enjoy civil equality.
- Legal and political independence: Citizens have rights protected by law, including free speech, due process, and voting, and are accountable to themselves rather than to rulers or elites.
- Economic autonomy: Citizenship historically required economic self-sufficiency, often linked to property ownership or middle-class status, enabling independent participation in governance.
- Cultural assimilation: Sustaining a constitutional republic requires citizens to give up primary ethnic or tribal identities in favor of a common culture and national character.
What is the role of the middle class in American citizenship according to The Dying Citizen?
- Economic self-sufficiency: The middle class provides the material security necessary for citizens to exercise their rights and responsibilities.
- Social stability: Hanson emphasizes that a large middle class is the “glue” of the state, preventing extremes of wealth and poverty that destabilize society.
- Modern decline: The erosion of the American middle class through stagnant wages, rising debt, and high costs threatens democratic participation and leads to a bifurcated society.
- Historical perspective: The book draws on Aristotle’s view that a strong middle class is essential for a stable and participatory republic.
How does The Dying Citizen distinguish between citizens and residents?
- Legal distinction: Citizens enjoy constitutional protections, voting rights, and political participation, while residents may simply live within borders without full rights or responsibilities.
- Historical assimilation: Immigrants were traditionally expected to assimilate and adopt American values to become citizens, a process now undermined by conflating residency with citizenship.
- Consequences of conflation: Blurring these statuses leads to legal and social confusion, dilutes the value of citizenship, and strains public resources.
- Political and cultural impact: The confusion between residency and citizenship fuels fragmentation and weakens the integrity of the nation-state.
What does Victor Davis Hanson say about tribalism and multiculturalism in The Dying Citizen?
- Tribalism undermines unity: Tribalism encourages citizens to identify primarily with racial, ethnic, or ideological groups, fragmenting national unity and weakening patriotic bonds.
- Multiculturalism’s paradox: While Americans support diversity, there is tension between egalitarian ideals and group-based advantages, leading to a “Tower of Babel” culture.
- Practical consequences: Multiculturalism can result in bureaucratic inefficiencies, legal challenges, and inconsistent application of laws, undermining trust in institutions.
- Political dangers: Tribalism and identity politics foster division, competition for privileges, and legal inequalities, threatening the principles of equal citizenship.
How does The Dying Citizen describe the impact of globalization and globalism on American citizenship?
- Globalism dilutes local identity: Globalization undermines the traditional idea of localism and rooted citizenship, creating a class of “anywheres” disconnected from national identity.
- Economic and cultural consequences: Globalization has hollowed out the American interior, leading to job losses and enriching coastal elites, while imposing global norms that conflict with American values.
- Elite cosmopolitanism: Globalist elites prioritize international agendas over national welfare, often at the expense of American sovereignty and citizen interests.
- Loss of exceptionalism: Globalism encourages moral equivalency and undermines the belief in American exceptionalism, eroding the foundations that sustain citizenship.
What is the “deep state” or administrative state according to The Dying Citizen by Victor Davis Hanson?
- Definition and scope: The deep state refers to a permanent, unelected bureaucracy—intelligence agencies, regulatory bodies, and civil service officials—that wields legislative, executive, and judicial powers without direct voter accountability.
- Historical context: Bureaucracies have existed in monarchies and democracies, but democracies are especially vulnerable as government responsibilities expand.
- Modern implications: The administrative state can undermine elected leaders, manipulate political outcomes, and erode citizens’ control over their government.
- Examples of overreach: Hanson cites the IRS, EPA, and FBI as agencies that have acted beyond their mandates, threatening constitutional governance.
How does Victor Davis Hanson analyze the role of elites and bureaucracy in undermining American democracy in The Dying Citizen?
- Unelected power: Bureaucrats and elites can create and enforce regulations with the force of law, often bypassing constitutional checks and diluting the influence of elected representatives.
- Progressive agenda: Elite progressives seek to reshape citizenship and the Constitution to fit cosmopolitan ideals, sometimes prioritizing equality of outcome over traditional rights.
- Disconnect from citizens: These elites often live insulated lives, exempt from the consequences of their policies, which disproportionately affect the middle and lower classes.
- Citizen alienation: The concentration of power among unelected officials fosters cynicism and disengagement, as citizens feel powerless to influence governance.
What examples does The Dying Citizen provide to illustrate the erosion of constitutional rights and freedoms?
- First Amendment challenges: Free speech is increasingly curtailed on campuses and in government agencies through speech codes, mandatory diversity statements, and Big Tech censorship.
- Second Amendment debates: Renewed efforts to restrict gun rights reflect broader attempts to limit individual freedoms, often ignoring the complexities of gun violence.
- Nullification and nonenforcement: Sanctuary cities and selective enforcement of laws undermine the rule of law and create unequal protections for citizens.
- Media and information: The loss of journalistic neutrality and the rise of partisan media further erode citizens’ ability to make informed decisions and participate in democracy.
What solutions or calls to action does Victor Davis Hanson propose in The Dying Citizen for preserving American citizenship?
- Revive middle-class autonomy: Strengthening economic independence through policies that support home ownership, education affordability, and stable employment is essential.
- Reassert legal distinctions: Reinforcing the difference between citizenship and residency, enforcing immigration laws, and ensuring equal application of the law protect the integrity of citizenship.
- Combat tribalism: Promoting a shared national culture, civic education, and individual merit over group identity can restore unity and democratic participation.
- Limit bureaucratic power: Enhancing oversight of unelected agencies and reaffirming constitutional guardrails can restore citizen control over governance.
- Renewal through localism: Hanson emphasizes the importance of rootedness in local communities and face-to-face civic engagement as foundations for revitalizing citizenship.
Review Summary
The Dying Citizen receives mostly positive reviews, praised for its analysis of declining American citizenship. Readers appreciate Hanson's historical context and examination of threats to democracy, including immigration, tribalism, and globalization. Critics argue the book is partisan and may not persuade those outside conservative circles. Many reviewers find the content thought-provoking, albeit dense at times. Some criticize Hanson's pro-Trump stance, while others commend his insights on societal changes. Overall, readers recommend the book for its perspective on contemporary American issues.
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