Affluence, Narcissism, and the Decline of Democratic Virtue: Our Own Worst Enemy

This podcast episode features Tom Nichols, author of "Our Own Worst Enemy," discussing his counter-intuitive thesis that the rise of illiberalism and political dysfunction in developed countries is not primarily due to economic hardship, but rather to over 30 years of peace, prosperity, and affluence. This prolonged period has fostered a deep sense of entitlement and narcissism, leading citizens to demand unrealistic outcomes from government and each other. Nichols argues that societies, including the US, have become less virtuous, losing the tolerance and civic-mindedness exemplified by earlier generations, such as his own father who, despite personal prejudices, respected the office of the President.

Nichols distinguishes between genuine economic problems, like income inequality or housing issues, which demand better policy, and a more profound societal malaise where middle-class, middle-aged individuals have given up on liberal democracy itself. These individuals, often well-off, are not seeking policy solutions but rather strongman leaders to "crush other people" or "hurt other people." He challenges the notion that living standards have universally declined since 1989, pointing out that some perceived declines, like "deaths of despair," are localized and often linked to drug abuse and alcoholism, which themselves raise uncomfortable questions about inward societal issues rather than external economic failures.

The discussion also delves into the role of technology and media in exacerbating these trends. While acknowledging the impact of social media algorithms, Nichols places greater emphasis on the "right-wing media complex," particularly Fox News, which he describes as a self-inflicted "information operation" that feeds constant anger and propaganda. He suggests that people have become "stove-piped" into consuming only information that confirms their biases, leading to political incoherence and a desire for politics to be a source of entertainment or self-actualization, rather than a constructive process for societal improvement.

Ultimately, Nichols posits that the public's current political behavior, characterized by negative partisanship and a willingness to vote for chaos, is a symptom of boredom and affluence, not despair. He argues that there is no coherent revolt or genuine desire for systemic change, as evidenced by phenomena like Fenno's Paradox (hating Congress but re-electing one's own member). The episode concludes with a call for individual introspection, urging citizens to question whether they have failed democracy by prioritizing personal gratification and tribal hostility over civic responsibility and rational engagement.

I think it's the other way around. I think we and the brits and the italians and the poles and the turks and everybody else we've become this way because we've had over 30 years of peace and prosperity and affluence and remarkably high living standards that have produced a real sense of entitlement in us about what we expect from government what we expect from each other that completely unrealistic and I think the underlying problem with all of this is narcissism and we've become remarkably narcissistic culture over these past 30 or 40 years.

I came to an explanation that I think was counterintuitive which is that we have become a less virtuous people.

If my father could sit there and look at the at a black president and say he's a good man we're going to be fine no matter who wins we can all do that but we've lost that we are no longer that kind of tolerant and virtuous society.

The most illiberal people in all of these countries including the United States are not the very poorest people they're actually middle class and middle aged.

If we believe democracies failed we should first ask ourselves whether we've failed the test of democracy.

Where I draw the line is when people say because of these things that make me unhappy therefore the entire constitutional order and the notion of liberal democracy is a failure and I'm just going to vote for a strong man I'm going to vote for for an arsonist I'm going to vote for people to destroy things and break things.

There is no coherent revolt among the public no broad agreement on reform no evidence of sustained citizen involvement no sudden movement to candidates who represent real change indeed an actual social awakening with all the turbulence it might bring might even be preferable to the soul and resentfulness of the masses who now see voting primarily as an act of hostility against neighbors.

Someone who can go from Pete Buttigieg to Donald Trump is not a voter who makes any sense at all except as a voter who says I want something tailored to me and I want politics to be interesting.

I think fox news is now the equivalent of a giant in information operation that we're running against ourselves that that the russians could only envy at this point and we're not even doing it for political reasons they're doing it for money.

This narcissism has devolved into politics as a self-actualization and an attention-seeking activity.