In 'Return of the Strong Gods,' R.R. Reno argues that the post-war consensus, which aimed to create an 'open society' free from the dogmas that led to World War II, is breaking down. He contends that the strong gods—powerful loyalties to nation, clan, and religion—are returning as people seek meaning and community. Reno traces the historical roots of this shift, critiquing the relativism and multiculturalism that have eroded traditional values. He advocates for a return to classic human values such as patriotism, family, and historic Christianity, warning that the absence of these strong gods could invite darker alternatives[1][4][5].
Written during World War II and published in 1945, 'The Open Society and Its Enemies' is a seminal work in political philosophy. Karl Popper critiques the theories of teleological historicism espoused by Plato, Hegel, and Marx, arguing that these theories undermine individual freedom and pave the way for authoritarian regimes. The book defends the open society and liberal democracy, emphasizing the importance of critical rationalism, individual freedom, and the ethos of scientific inquiry in politics. It also discusses the challenges facing open societies, including totalitarianism, dogmatism, and relativism, and advocates for a piecemeal approach to social reform.
Theologian and cultural commentator Jonathan Pageau joins The Winston Marshall Show for a profound discussion on meaning, myth, and the crumbling foundations of the post-war consensus.
Pageau argues that the secular order built after WWII—rooted in liberalism, materialism, and the rejection of transcendent values—is collapsing under the weight of its own contradictions. As old narratives dissolve, chaos rushes in to fill the void: identity politics, technocracy, and ideological extremism.
They explore the spiritual cost of modernity, the dangers of trying to build a society without sacred stories, and why the breakdown of shared mythos is leaving the West vulnerable to civilizational decay.
All this—rituals, relativism, revolution, and the desperate search for meaning in a world that has forgotten its soul…
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Chapters
2:39 Reframing World War II and Its Consensus
43:28 Emerging Narratives and Historical Revisionism
58:21 The Dichotomy of Nationalism and Globalism
1:05:41 The Role of Symbols in Cultural and Political Narratives
1:08:54 Online Phenomenon and Political Parties
1:15:43 Role of Christianity and Identity
1:21:34 Nationalism and Empire vs. Modern Nation-State
1:24:15 Closing Thoughts
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The Winston Marshall Show 
