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The Decadent Society: How We Became The Victims Of Our Own Success

by Douthat, Ross

New York Times columnist and author of To Change the Church Ross Douthat delves into our society's stagnation and delivers some hard-hitting truths about how our actions today could lead to a historic crisis--or revitalization. Today, the Western world is suffering from a painful, nameless malaise. The optimistic view of the new millennium has receded, giving way to profound frustration and disillusionment. Here, The Decadent Society provides an enlightening and informative diagnosis of our modern condition. Author and New York Times op-ed columnist Ross Douthat observes that Western societies are currently living through a paradoxical era called decadence, making some eye-opening yet well substantiated comparisons with the decline of the Roman Empire. Although we are seemingly blessed with a high level of material prosperity and technological development, our society is plagued by economic stagnation, institutional decay, and cultural and intellectual exhaustion. An age of decadence is marked by an absence of growth and innovation. Repetition is more the norm than innovation and complacency has infiltrated public institutions and private enterprises alike. Intellectual life seems to go in circles and new developments in science, new exploratory projects, underdeliver compared to people's expectations. In this insightful work of historical, economical, and philosophical synthesis, Douthat identifies the symptoms and origins of our current period of decadence, and projects the most likely paths the future will take--either renaissance or collapse.

21st Century, Future Studies


  • Condition: Used - Good
    HPB condition ratings
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  • Format: Hardcover
  • Sold by: HPB Marion
  • Seller rating:
  • Language: --
  • Publisher: Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
  • ISBN-13: 9781476785240
  • ISBN: 1476785244
  • Publication Year: 2020
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HPB condition ratings
  • New: Item is brand new, unused and unmarked, in flawless condition.
  • Fine/Like New (F): Book may have been read. Looks new and has no defects. May show remainder marks. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
  • Near Fine (NF): Clean, with no defects, but may show slight wear at edges of book or dust jacket. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
  • Very Good (VG): Shows signs of wear. May have minor defects: clipped or chipped dust jacket; owner’s inscription; remainder mark; minor foxing or bumping. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
  • Good (G): Average used book with all pages present. May have any of the defects above to a greater degree, including highlighting, library markings, or loose bindings. Rare and collectible books may have cocked spine, cracked hinges, water stains; torn or repaired dust jacket. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
  • Fair (FR): May be very worn, soiled, torn, or barely holding together. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
  • Poor (P): May have extensive damage from moisture or insects; detached boards; parts may be missing; marginally salable unless very unusual. Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials.
Conditions Guide
HPB condition ratings
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Conditions Guide
HPB condition ratings
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