We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism
Encyclopedia
We Are Doomed: Reclaiming Conservative Pessimism is a 2009 non-fiction book by British-American writer John Derbyshire
. He draws upon classical conservative
thinking to argue that modern Western civilization
is dying and will eventually fail completely. He blames what he sees as a collectivist and Utopian mindset among the political left
as well as an irrational optimism and faith in the future on the political right
. It was published by Crown Forum.
Derbyshire argues that ever greater diversity in race, ethnicity, background, and other factors makes countries more fragile and prone to unrest. He refers to political scientist Robert D. Putnam's statement about the noble challenge of diversity and writes, "Perhaps the idea is that by enlarging and defeating this challenge, we shall be a better nation. In that case, if challenges are so good for us, why not create a few more? I suggest flooding some low lying cities".
He criticizes the modern American conservative movement
for accepting what he sees as inherently liberal views about total racial and gender equality.
Taki Theodoracopulos
, a columnist and publisher of Taki's Magazine, commented, "Just when you thought there was nothing to American conservatism but a bunch of blue-blazered fuddy-duddies who talk about global democracy, here comes John Derbyshire, who reminds us all of the place of pessimism and skepticism in the Western tradition. Not a moment too soon."
Theodore Dalrymple, a British author and columnist, referred to the book as, "A funny and brilliant call to pessimism, Man's last, best hope for a tolerable life." He also remarked about it that "Pessimists are not only the only realists; they have all the best jokes." Judge Robert H. Bork commented that Derbyshire's "argument is wide-ranging, erudite, and invigorating, but, paradoxically, delivered with cheerful panache."
John Derbyshire
John Derbyshire is a British-American writer. His columns in National Review and cover a broad range of political-cultural topics, including immigration, China, history, mathematics, and race. Derbyshire's 1996 novel, Seeing Calvin Coolidge in a Dream, was a New York Times "Notable Book of the...
. He draws upon classical conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
thinking to argue that modern Western civilization
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
is dying and will eventually fail completely. He blames what he sees as a collectivist and Utopian mindset among the political left
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
as well as an irrational optimism and faith in the future on the political right
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
. It was published by Crown Forum.
Contents
Derbyshire sets forth his hereditarian vision of civilization. He states that the natural sciences have revealed as a matter of fact that human beings have a set of innate negative qualities. He views society and culture as something with relatively minor affects on human behavior, writing that people's destinies are essentially half-made at birth. He concludes that some children are inherently not intelligent enough to learn anything belong simple skills as well as that some ethnic groups are simply incapable of democratic government.Derbyshire argues that ever greater diversity in race, ethnicity, background, and other factors makes countries more fragile and prone to unrest. He refers to political scientist Robert D. Putnam's statement about the noble challenge of diversity and writes, "Perhaps the idea is that by enlarging and defeating this challenge, we shall be a better nation. In that case, if challenges are so good for us, why not create a few more? I suggest flooding some low lying cities".
He criticizes the modern American conservative movement
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
for accepting what he sees as inherently liberal views about total racial and gender equality.
Reviews
Grant Morgan wrote for the online magazine Canada’s Journal of Ideas that Derbyshire "makes a surprisingly energetic and amusing case" and "does so in a style that is accessible and sharp-witted, though at times unfocused." Morgan commented that he thought Derbyshire's views on culture and religion seem to reach too far and did not fit well with the material on public policy. Overall, Morgan wrote that the author "is likely to convert many readers to congenital pessimism" but fails to conclude the book with any kind of real recommendations or advice about how to fix these failing policies.Taki Theodoracopulos
Taki Theodoracopulos
Taki Theodoracopulos , originally named Panagiotis Theodoracopulos is a Greek/American journalist, socialite, and political commentator.Better known as Taki, diminutive for Panagiotis, he is a Greek-born journalist and writer living in New York City, London and Switzerland...
, a columnist and publisher of Taki's Magazine, commented, "Just when you thought there was nothing to American conservatism but a bunch of blue-blazered fuddy-duddies who talk about global democracy, here comes John Derbyshire, who reminds us all of the place of pessimism and skepticism in the Western tradition. Not a moment too soon."
Theodore Dalrymple, a British author and columnist, referred to the book as, "A funny and brilliant call to pessimism, Man's last, best hope for a tolerable life." He also remarked about it that "Pessimists are not only the only realists; they have all the best jokes." Judge Robert H. Bork commented that Derbyshire's "argument is wide-ranging, erudite, and invigorating, but, paradoxically, delivered with cheerful panache."
Response to reviews
Derbyshire has created a blog on his personal website addressing specific criticisms of views made in the book.See also
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