The Dying Citizen

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.