R.R. Reno | 'Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West'

About this episode

R.R. Reno discusses his book 'Return of the Strong Gods' and the rise of nationalism and populism in contemporary politics.

From Israel and Palestine to Ukraine and Russia, from China to the various European Union member states, nationalism is surging. The UK Brexit referendum of 2016, followed by Donald Trump’s shock victory in the US presidential election, were milestones in a new populist moment. Nationalism is a defining aspect of the ongoing disruption of transnational elites and centrist consensus. R.R. Reno is highly respected, widely recognized commentator in these historic developments. His important book, Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West , places these phenomena in a historical and philosophical context. Reno is a graceful writer, rendering complex issues accessible and compellingly readable. Reno has an unusual talent: he can provoke as he persuades. He makes you think. Recently he wrote approvingly of “The Lessons of Woodrow Wilson.” Wilson has become a political orphan, disregarded by the contemporary left and right. Reno reminds us that Wilson’s thought on American national solidarity holds lessons for our time. A recent opinion piece by Ross Douthat, “Trump’s Second Term Has Ended the Conservative Era,” posits the possibility that nationalism…

People in this episode

Guest: R.R. Reno

Topics covered

• nationalism
• populism
• history
• politics

Keywords

• transnational elites
• centrist consensus
• Woodrow Wilson
• American national solidarity

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West

Books & works: Return of the Strong Gods: Nationalism, Populism, and the Future of the West, The Lessons of Woodrow Wilson, Trump’s Second Term Has Ended the Conservative Era, Serve to Lead, Return of the Strong Gods, Genesis: A Theological Commentary, Fighting the Noonday Devil, Resurrecting the Idea of a Christian Society

Places: Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, China, UK, US, Philadelphia, West, America

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