Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from Within on Modern Democracy

In Our Own Worst Enemy, Tom Nichols challenges the current depictions of the rise of illiberal and anti-democratic movements in the United States and elsewhere as the result of the deprivations of globalization or the malign decisions of an undifferentiated "elite." Rather, he argues that too many of us have succumbed to a toxic cocktail of growing narcissism and increasing expectations fueled by affluence, peace, and a connected global culture, which in turn are exploited by political entrepreneurs who encourage reinforcing cycles of perceived relative deprivation, political alienation, unvirtuous political (and social) behavior, and who provide targets for subsequent bouts of unfocused rage.