Wither the West? The Struggle Between Elites and the People for Civilization’s Future, By Paul Walker
Western civilisation faces an existential crossroads. According to Bradley A. Thayer (link bellow), the past several decades have seen a growing disconnect between the elites who govern and the populations whose societies they are meant to represent. In Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States, political leaders have pursued policies that many citizens reject, leaving the future of Western civilisation hanging in the balance.
The Crisis of Western Leadership
Thayer argues that Western elites have systematically abandoned the principles that historically underpinned the West: Christian values, Enlightenment ideals, individual rights, and the rule of law. Instead, these leaders embraced multiculturalism and progressivism, which Thayer traces to Marxist-Leninist thought. The result, he contends, is a weakening of the social and political fabric of Western societies.
Mass immigration is one of the most contentious issues in this struggle. Western populations consistently express concerns about rapid, large-scale immigration from non-Western countries, yet political leaders have largely ignored these demands. Countries that resisted mass migration, like Hungary and Poland, are viewed as more stable, while states like Germany, France, and Sweden are facing growing societal tensions.
The Legitimacy Gap
This disconnect has created a profound legitimacy crisis. Citizens feel betrayed by governments that continue to pursue policies contrary to public opinion, while elites appear unwilling to heed the will of the people. Thayer frames this as a civilisational question: when elites undermine the core principles of the West, they risk destroying the very civilisation that grants them authority.
Two Paths Forward
Thayer identifies two possible paths for Western societies:
1.Continued Elitist Policies: Persisting with policies rejected by the population risks rapid social destabilisation, the erosion of political legitimacy, and intensified tensions between Europe and the U.S. leadership under figures like Donald Trump, who side with the populations.
2.Reasserting Civilisational Confidence: A conscious return to the core principles of Western civilization, valuing the individual, preserving rule of law, and defending historical cultural achievements, could restore legitimacy and stabilise societies. Leaders must act with courage and align with their populations rather than bypass them.
The Role of Leadership
Thayer emphasises that civilisational confidence is central to this second path. Leaders like Trump and Viktor Orban, he argues, demonstrate the type of strong cultural and civilisational awareness necessary to defend Western societies. New leaders across Europe and North America are needed to embrace and protect the West's unique values, ensuring that representative democracy remains credible and responsive to citizens.
Why This Matters
The stakes, Thayer asserts, are enormous. Western civilization is not valuable merely because it is universal, but because it is distinct — rooted in history, philosophy, science, and artistic achievement. Its survival depends on leaders who understand its worth and act to preserve it. Failing to do so risks social upheaval, political collapse, and the erosion of freedoms that generations fought to build.
The message is clear: Western civilization's future hinges on a renewed partnership between elites and the people. By acknowledging the West's unique legacy and responding to the populations' concerns, especially on issues like immigration, leaders can restore legitimacy, confidence, and social cohesion. The path to a prosperous, stable West lies in embracing the principles that have defined it for 2,500 years. The Big question is if this can be done given the level of corruption of the elites.
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