644. Has America Lost Its Appetite for the Common Good?

Homer's Odyssey is a memoir by Gwen Cooper that chronicles her life with a blind cat named Homer. Despite being born without eyes, Homer grows into a spirited and loving companion who faces numerous challenges, including surviving the aftermath of 9/11 and defending his home against an intruder. Through Homer's adventures, Cooper reflects on the profound impact he had on her life, teaching her about courage, love, and living beyond limitations.

In 'Why Liberalism Failed,' Patrick J. Deneen critiques both classical liberalism (often called libertarianism) and progressive/modern liberalism. He argues that liberalism has created contradictions such as fostering material inequality despite advocating for equal rights, discouraging civic commitments in favor of privatism, and giving rise to a comprehensive state system while pursuing individual autonomy. Deneen contends that liberalism's success is generating its own failure, leading to issues like income inequality, cultural decline, atomization, and the erosion of freedoms. The book examines the outcomes of the growth of the state, the construction of the free market, and the effects of technology on freedoms and culture.

Written after his travels in the United States, 'Democracy in America' is a comprehensive study of American society and government. Tocqueville examines the democratic revolution and its impact on American life, discussing topics such as the sovereignty of the people, the role of civil society, the dangers of the tyranny of the majority, and the influence of religion and individualism. The book is a philosophical and political analysis that aims to understand why republican representative democracy succeeded in the United States while failing in other places, and it offers insights into the future of democracy both in America and globally.

In 'Regime Change: Toward a Postliberal Future', Patrick Deneen presents a vision for a postliberal society, critiquing the current liberal order for eroding traditional social structures such as family, religion, and local community. Deneen argues that classical liberalism has created a self-serving elite that benefits at the expense of the working class. He proposes a new elite aligned with the interests of the working class, advocating for a mixed regime that combines elements of aristocracy and democracy. The book builds on his previous work, 'Why Liberalism Failed', and suggests a strategic formation of a new elite devoted to 'pre-postmodern conservatism' and the common good, particularly attentive to the voice and status of the working class.