Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation

Now in paperback: David French warns of the potential dangers to the country—and the world—if we don’t summon the courage to reconcile our political differences.

Two decades into the 21st Century, the U.S. is less united than at any time in our history since the Civil War. We are more diverse in our beliefs and culture than ever before. But red and blue states, secular and religious groups, liberal and conservative idealists, and Republican and Democratic representatives all have one thing in common: each believes their distinct cultures and liberties are being threatened by an escalating violent opposition. This polarized tribalism, espoused by the loudest, angriest fringe extremists on both the left and the right, dismisses dialogue as appeasement; if left unchecked, it could very well lead to secession.

An engaging mix of cutting edge research and fair-minded analysis, Divided We Fall is an unblinking look at the true dimensions and dangers of this widening ideological gap, and what could happen if we don't take steps toward bridging it. French reveals chilling, plausible scenarios of how the United States could fracture into regions that will not only weaken the country but destabilize the world.

But our future is not written in stone. By implementing James Madison’s vision of pluralism—that all people have the right to form communities representing their personal values—we can prevent oppressive factions from seizing absolute power and instead maintain everyone’s beliefs and identities across all fifty states.

Reestablishing national unity will require the bravery to commit ourselves to embracing qualities of kindness, decency, and grace towards those we disagree with ideologically. French calls on all of us to demonstrate true tolerance so we can heal the American divide. If we want to remain united, we must learn to stand together again.

ISBN-13: 9781250836731

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

Publication Date: 02-22-2022

Pages: 288

Product Dimensions: 5.30(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.70(d)

DAVID FRENCH is a senior editor of The Dispatch, a columnist at Time, a former senior writer at National Review, an Iraq War veteran, and the co-author of several books, including Rise of ISIS: A Threat We Can’t Ignore, a New York Times bestseller. He lives in Tennessee.

Table of Contents

Contents:

Introduction: A House Divided

Part I: The Relentless Momentum of Our Mutual Contempt
1. Understanding the Geography of American Division
2. Geography Plus Culture Plus Fear Equals Secession
3. The Kindling Awaits the Spark of Fear
4. America Cannot Repeat Even Its Recent History of Violence
5. How an Academic Paper Explains America
6. Churches and Cities, the Core of Group Polarization
7. Politics Trumps Everything
8. From Extreme to Mainstream, Time and Again
9. The Shifting Window of Acceptable Discourse
10. Losing the Free Speech Culture
11. Losing a Common Political Language

Part II: The Dissolution
12. Calexit
13. Texit
14. A World on Fire

Part III: To Save America, Chart James Madison’s Course
15. Pluralism, a Beginner’s Guide
16. Rediscover Tolerance
17. Can Anyone Pass the Tolerance Test?
18. Can Moments of Grace Make a Movement of Grace?
19. To Go Forward, We Must Go Back
20. Immigration Breaks the Federalist Will
21. Could California Health Care Reform Revive American Federalism?
22. Federalism Ends Where the Bill of Rights Begins

Conclusion: A Call for Courage
Acknowledgments
Notes
Index

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