Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words Victor Davis Hanson: The Common Denominator of the Issues Troubling Me Most
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Jan 10, 2026 
Victor Davis Hanson, a historian and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, dives into the pressing issues impacting society, including the failures of blue states in areas like education and crime. He discusses the geographical polarization of problems and critiques modern racial narratives, highlighting how they hinder cultural reconciliation. Hanson also explores California's decline due to policy failures and the importance of integrating immigrant communities for social cohesion. His insights weave a narrative of interconnected societal challenges.
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Problems Crystallize Along Red/Blue Geography
- Victor Davis Hanson argues major social problems cluster along ideological and geographic red/blue lines, creating reinforcing failures in blue states.
- He links lower fertility, higher crime, debt, and poor governance in blue states to an ideology that "doesn't work."
Exit Amplifies Regional Decline
- Hanson says federalism allowed exit but now productive people are leaving blue states, amplifying decline there and strengthening red states.
- He predicts population and congressional-seat losses for blue states by 2030 due to lower fertility and outmigration.
Institutional Capture As Power Strategy
- Hanson describes a coordinated left strategy: open borders, institutional capture, cultural influence to retain power without majority support.
- He points to dominance in academia and media as tools to mold public opinion despite lacking broad electoral backing.
