Return of the Strong Gods

After the devastation of two world wars, the West embraced the 'open society' ideal, believing that shedding old loyalties would lead to a prosperous, borderless world managed by experts. However, the rise of populism and nationalism signals a breakdown of this postwar consensus. R. R. Reno argues that powerful loyalties to homeland and community, the 'strong gods,' are returning. He warns that while elites fear fascism, their endless pursuit of openness is dissolving social solidarity, and humanity's need for shared meaning will inevitably bring these strong gods back, for better or worse.