Examining Left Illiberalism in ‘Summer of Our Discontent’

Given the current political climate where the U.S. President regularly attempts to silence critics within academia and the media, it may seem ill-considered to release a book like ‘Summer of Our Discontent’, penned by Thomas Chatterton Williams, which primarily concentrates on the increasing illiberalism of the left. Detractors might reckon this as a missed opportunity to address serious issues, or even view it as a subtle support to autocracy as it echoes some narratives common among the right-wing. However, the discord created by President Donald Trump underlines the importance of understanding why many Americans are more disillusioned with the Democratic party than with the disorderly President they chose.

Williams argues that comprehending the political and moral quandary we have currently found ourselves in requires an objective analysis of the social justice left and the institutional powers that have too often weakened under its excessive demands. This is essential, not for virtue signaling, but for understanding the ground reality. Interestingly, Williams is in favor of multiple progressive causes, signifying the nuanced position conveyed in his work.

He is of the opinion that the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements were initially sparked by a legitimate concern to extend basic human rights and dignity to a wider section of the American populace. However, just like socialists that detest Communists for blemishing their utopian ideals, Williams admits to a profound disappointment with the escalation of left-wing illiberal tendencies.

The majority of Americans uphold the rule of law. Despite this, in August 2020, NPR aired a controversial interview with a white author advocating for looting in his text titled ‘In Defense of Looting’. This was followed by an instance where a majority of the Minneapolis city council pledged to dismantle their police department, leading to a 50% surge in homicides amid a police staffing scarcity.

Appreciably, Joe Biden voiced his opposition to the ‘defund the police’ slogan, advocating instead for an increased police presence. However, the public recollection was largely dominated by the sentiments put forth by left-of-center social activists. According to a 2019 Pew survey, a staggering 74 percent of Americans advocated equal treatment across all races in employment and education sectors.

Biden and Harris depicted a more measured approach compared to several progressive activists on multiple topics. Nevertheless, they frequently found themselves ensnared in the same predicaments. Democrats and progressives alike made a pivotal decision to view all discussions and conflicts through the narrow lens of identity, which had unintended electoral consequences.

This decision didn’t align with the lived experiences of the voting populace. Matters came to a head during a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court case involving Harvard University concerning racial preferences. In this instance, the Biden administration appeared to lean towards the interests of affluent Black and Hispanic households at the potential expense of working-class Americans from all backgrounds.

Post the 2024 election, liberals tried to comprehend how Trump managed to appeal to a growing demographic of nonwhite voters. This resulted in what Williams describes as the least racially charged election outcome since 1972. Political commentators have attributed this astonishing result to a multitude of factors, with inflation and immigration standing out.

Nonetheless, a significant aspect that influenced the election outcome was the cultural disconnect. As Democrats introspect on their electoral miscalculations, Williams’ ‘Summer of Our Discontent’ would prove a valuable resource on their reading list.

When it comes to the ongoing discourse on race in America, liberals have an advantage over Donald Trump on the moral front, but they should be cognizant and weary of the dangers of moral superiority. This caution is pointedly expressed by Williams referencing Albert Camus in the book’s epigraph: ‘I have seen people behave badly with great morality.’

Indeed, moral high ground can be a shaky foundation on which to build a political platform if it does not consider the multifaceted realities of society. This shaky foundation, coupled with the Democrats’ focus on specific identity narratives, may not resonate with their intended audience—the diverse American people.

Hence, it is critical for the Democrats and the left at large to reflect on the arguments presented in ‘Summer of our Discontent’, and understand that popular sentiment may be driven by a broader range of concerns than they currently consider. To forge a path to success, they need to cater to, and align with, the desires and necessities of voters across spectrum of backgrounds and beliefs.

This, coupled with a pragmatic approach to issues rather than pandering to the loudest voices, will help the Democrats resonate with a wider swathe of the electorate and reaffirm their relevance. The path to resolving our current political and moral crisis might not be easy, but it starts with truly understanding the hopes, fears and desires of all Americans.