As we find ourselves in 2026, it can feel like we are navigating a museum of troubling ideas. The landscape at home raises concerns. Economic growth faces hurdles with tariffs increasing prices. The federal government seems to embrace corruption reminiscent of the Gilded Age, along with a variant of the spoils system.
On the right, a troubling interest in fascism appears among many young individuals. Surprisingly, 34 percent of the young population overall holds favorable views of communism. Younger Americans show a higher tendency than older generations to find political violence occasionally acceptable.
An additional concern shadows American culture: rising antisemitism on both sides of the political spectrum. Once-dismissed ancient slanders are making unwelcome returns.
Globally, the situation is equally concerning. Germany and Japan are rearming, with Germany addressing the Russian threat and Japan aiming to deter China. Europe and the Middle East are engulfed in conflict, while fears of territorial expansion persist worldwide. Russia eyes Ukraine, and China maintains its focus on Taiwan. Remarkably, the United States administration under Trump has shown interest in Greenland.
Reflecting on these developments is confounding. The revival of numerous discredited ideas from the recent past seems inexplicable. Resurrecting such concepts so soon after their destructive impact is perplexing.