First published 2026
Liberal democracy promised shared prosperity, democratic governance, and intellectual freedom. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, many believed these ideals would spread globally. Instead, liberal democracy entered crisis. Nobel laureate Daron Acemoglu examines what went wrong. He argues that liberalism succeeded when it challenged power but struggled after becoming the establishment. Digital technology created economic disruption that liberal institutions could not handle. College-educated elites gained political control while separating from broader society. They increased inequality and tried to reshape mass culture. Acemoglu documents liberalism's remarkable historical achievements alongside its recent failures. He analyzes technological advances, regulatory changes, global politics, and economic shifts. The book presents his solution: working-class liberalism that prioritizes shared prosperity, empowers local communities, and accepts diverse values.
Genres: history, social-science, politics, economics, non-fiction, current-affairs
Vibes: analytical, critical, intellectually-rigorous, thought-provoking, urgent
Tropes: historical-analysis, institutional-critique, policy-solutions
Setting: Soviet Union, Global
Period: 1991, 20th-century, 21st-century
416 pages · Hardcover · Dutton