political-nostalgia
A powerful motivator in modern politics, where longing for a mythic past can be more compelling than hope for the future.
1 chapter across 1 book
The Shipwrecked Mind: On Political Reaction (2016)Mark Lilla
The introduction to 'The Shipwrecked Mind' explores the concept of political reaction, highlighting its historical neglect compared to revolution. Mark Lilla traces the evolution of 'reaction' from Enlightenment political theory through the French Revolution, emphasizing that reactionaries are not mere conservatives but radical figures driven by nostalgia and a sense of historical betrayal. The chapter argues that reactionaries possess a complex political imagination that deserves serious study, as their militant nostalgia shapes modern political realities and challenges the dominant revolutionary narrative.