Our Decline and Fall
BY EDWARD KLEIN/ NOVEMBER 24, 2015
There is a connection between the West’s weak response to the bloody reign of Islamic terror and American universities’ weak response to the reign of student fascism on college campuses.
But no one is talking about it.
We used to turn to our great public intellectuals—men like Lionel Trilling, Daniel Bell, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Sidney Hook, and Jacques Barzun—to guide us on such matters.
They are all gone now, and no one has taken their place.
Fortunately, before Barzun passed away three years ago at the age of 104, he left us a brilliant explanation of the turmoil that is wracking Western civilization. He published what many consider his masterwork, a book called From Dawn to Decadence: 1500 to the Present: 500 Years of Cultural Life.
The New York Times headlined Barzun’s obituary CULTURAL CRITIC SAW THE SUN SETTING ON THE WEST. The obituary writer noted that Barzun believed “the liquidation of 500 years of civilization” was caused “by an internal crisis in the civilization itself which…had come to celebrate nihilism and rebellion.”
Like many intellectuals of his time, Barzun started off as a liberal. His conversion to cultural conservatism took place during the student protests in the late 1960s, when a mob held the dean of Columbia College hostage and invaded the university president’s office and defecated on his desk.
As Barzun pointed out, “How a revolution erupts from a commonplace event—tidal wave from a ripple—is cause for endless astonishment.”
He then went on to explain:
“Manners are flouted and customs broken. Foul language and direct insult become normal, in keeping with the rest of the excitement—buildings defaced, images destroyed, shops looted. Printed sheets pass from hand to hand and are read with delight or outrage—Listen to this! Angry debates multiply about things long since settled: talk of free love, of priests marrying and monks breaking their vows, of property and wives in common, of sweeping out all evils, all corruption, all at once—all things for a new and blissful life on earth…
“Voices grow shrill, parties form and adopt names or are tagged with them in derision and contempt. Again and again comes the shock of broken friendships, broken families. As time goes on ‘betraying the cause’ is an incessant charge, and there are indeed turncoats. Authorities are bewildered, heads of institutions try threats and concessions by turns, hoping the surge of subversion will collapse like previous ones.”
That was written 15 years ago when Barzun was a spry 92. But his words are as relevant today as when he first wrote them.
What a magnificent piece! I am deeply troubled by the coarsening of the culture, the lack of respect for authority, the “garbage “that poses as educational content, among so many fundamental changes to our country that have sent our Founding Fathers spinning in their graves. I want my country back!!! I want a return to those old fashioned values of respect and self responsibility. Thank you for being a voice in the wilderness. Let’s hope that more people will speak out, demand change, and VOTE!!!!!!!!
I agree wholeheartedly, it is a fine piece AND I too want my country back! Sometimes I find it really hard to not be swept away with the course manners when dealing with the thick headed. I keep reading about the liberals and the “fascism on America’s college campuses” and I’m sure most will agree, they are no longer confined to campus. They have invaded every aspect of our society and government and like termites are undermining the foundations. It is always reassuring to know there are those among us who still value decency and the “old fashioned” landmarks. Thank you.
The fall of Western civilization is, indeed, real enough. Rarely, rarely is mention made that this is all a design for “One World Government.” The perpetrators of the new age of emperors are quite visible and are even gloating at the ease of their conquest. Muslims when left to their own devices haven’t troubled the West since the Battles of LePanto and Tours. But Muslims are a useful tool for parties who wish to dismantle the West, a society which has been built on Christianity. Having learned from both the Soviets and Chinese that Christian values can’t be eradicated by outlawing them, the current usurpers have enlisted “alternative religions” as “equal members of society.” ‘Divide and conquer’ often succeeds where brute frontal assault fails. So it is today. Once anarchy sets in, the new rulers follow with martial law, currency debasement, seizure of all private property, now owned by “all the people” and enslavement for the population at large. Man’s history is one of tyranny and enslavement with only occasional moments of freedom. Today’s riots and crises are all carefully planned. Think central bankers and ‘elite’ political leaders collaborating.
My first visit to this site but I see there is a lot of wisdom and understanding. Brian, I believe you could not be more correct in your assessment of what is happening. Some may or may not agree with me here but it seems that George H. Bush laid out what was to come when he spoke of the New World Order. Bill Clinton paved some of the paths. George W. Bush took the lock off of the gate. Barack Obama opened the gates and like a Black Friday frenzy the demolishing crew has swept in. I am almost sixty-four years old and for once I am thankful I am no younger because I don’t think I will like what is coming. I don’t mean to be pessimistic, just looking at reality as it is happening.
Ed–Barzun, born in France, also said “whoever wants to know America must know baseball.” Any connection with the decline of baseball as football, far more barbaric, now reigns supreme?
I haven’t made it into the ranks of the conservatives. The Republican candidates seem notably lacking in patriotism to me.
That’s my thought for today as I am walking the dog. Best I can do.
I told Konne 1957-59 in NYC with you, Greenwich Village, Beatniks, and coffee houses and free culture everywhere was a magical time for me. I am thankful for all at Thanksgiving. Mike Brand and I are taking the cruise around Hawaii in February. Hank
Hank, I remember those days, 1957-59, as a magical time, too. And I remember your staying with me on Horatio Street in my walk-up studio apartment. Wishing you and Mike a great cruise. All best, Ed
The fascism that exists today is in the Republican Party, the Tea Party and most of the South. It is a dangerous proposition. I remember when Rick Perry said Texas should seceed from the USA. Good Riddance! The north should divorce itself from the South.