Ross Douthat wrote a lengthy column, entitled “The Age of Decadence,” in yesterday’s NYT. It touched upon some of the themes of my previous “Baroque America” post, so I thought it would be useful to compare the two and add some perspective to both.
I think “baroque” is a better term than “decadent,” simply because it sounds less judgmental. The intended meaning, however, is pretty similar. “Baroque” is associated with a failed mission, exhaustion, an appreciation of limits, extravagant displays of emotion, and an emphasis on spectacle over simple substance. Can anyone deny that those are characteristics of today’s America with a straight face?
This isn’t new, even for our relatively young country. I know baroque. I grew up in the 1970’s–the time of the fall of Vietnam, the Iran hostage crisis, inflation, soaring crime, and Watergate. Those events were the equivalent for people of my age to 9/11, the Iraq War, and the Great Recession. The sense of American decline was palpable. Reagan was elected in 1980, however, and for both better and worse, the moment passed.
What is missing from the Douthat column is the understanding that baroque never lasts, particularly in a society as fluid as ours; decline is inevitably followed by some sort of renewal, even though, on the whole, it may not be positive. What could cause that to occur this time? Here are some possibilities:
- A confrontation with China: If anyone understands decline and renewal, it’s the Chinese, who associate it with the rise and fall of dynasties. If there is one thing that all Americans agree on, it is the need to stand up to the Chinese. That could lead to a conflict which is far more pressing than any issue we see today.
- An unexpected innovation: The point is often made that, Andrew Yang notwithstanding, we are becoming less, not more, innovative as we age as a society. Innovation, however, is unpredictable. What happens if, say, someone suddenly invents a battery that can transform the way we produce and store energy? It would change our economic landscape, and the baroque period would probably pass.
- Climate change: The nation will have to unite at some point to deal with climate change. It is only a question of whether we deal with the disease or pay even more to treat the symptoms.
- Political implosion: The conflict between left-leaning, politically correct millennials and Flight 93 Republicans is going to get worse before it gets better. There is no guarantee that the center will hold, and the implications to our system of government could be very serious.