Victor Davis Hanson on "The Dying Citizen" | A Hoover Institution Book Club Discussion

Join the Hoover Book Club for engaging discussions with leading authors on the hottest policy issues of the day. Hoover scholars explore the latest books that delve into some of the most vexing policy issues facing the United States and the world. Find out what makes these authors tick and how they think we should approach our most difficult challenges.
In this first meeting, watch a discussion with Hoover Senior Fellow Victor Davis Hanson on his latest book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America, moderated by Bill Whalen on Thursday, October 7th at 10AM PT.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The New York Times bestselling author of The Case for Trump explains the decline and fall of the once cherished idea of American citizenship.
Human history is full of the stories of peasants, subjects, and tribes. Yet the concept of the “citizen” is historically rare-and was among America’s most valued ideals for over two centuries. But without shock treatment, warns historian Victor Davis Hanson, American citizenship as we have known it may soon vanish.
In The Dying Citizen, Hanson outlines the historical forces that led to this crisis. The evisceration of the middle class over the last fifty years has made many Americans dependent on the federal government. Open borders have undermined the idea of allegiance to a particular place. Identity politics have eradicated our collective civic sense of self. And a top-heavy administrative state has endangered personal liberty, along with formal efforts to weaken the Constitution.
As in the revolutionary years of 1848, 1917, and 1968, 2020 ripped away our complacency about the future. But in the aftermath, we as Americans can rebuild and recover what we have lost. The choice is ours.

[@mariavm9178]

Victor Davis Hanson is an American hero. Fighting the idiotic forces trying to destroy the greatness of America. GREAT respect for him. AMERICA, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT. I write these words as a deeply grateful legal immigrant/citizen.

[@alanaadams7440]

Well said!

[@rexboyles1529]

Listen to this man! His “sober and judicious” insights are timeless.

[@alanaadams7440]

My 95 year old mother said "I don't recognize my country anymore" sad 😥 but true

[@annieoakley884]

My favorite person for truth information & history.

[@ExoPHL]

We're not dead and we owe it to our children to fight for the American ideal of hard work, personal responsibility, religious freedom and telling the truth.

[@dorotheaivanovna4118]

Great!

[@stud6414]

It's a rap, sir.

[@airpierre2501]

Victor Davis Hanson is one of the most intelligent men I have ever heard.

[@mombam]

Marvelous! Thank you for your continued efforts to both enlighten and encourage us! Stay well! Our nation needs you. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@cynthialocher393]

This man Victor Davis is a National Treasure a true American.. may he live long and be well and when he does pass the whole country mourn

[@user-wondercat]

REALLY enjoy listening to VDH. He's a man with a wealth of knowledge, very level-headed and tells it like it is.

[@robertrondinelli8281]

Victor Davis Hanson is a voice of reason and truth. God bless him.

[@karenc.6454]

Thank you Bill, and Victor, for doing this for us. We receive such wonderful education from Hoover! Karen from Kansas.

[@mwhite1474]

Thank-you Victor for being a voice of reason where so much is lacking in our educational institutions. By taking a mandatory sociology class as part of my Nursing education, I was the lone adult in the class pushing back against the professor's biased arguments in favor of Marxist ideology and/or social justice. You inspire us not to remain silent as would be the easier path.

[@alicemccain585]

Victor Davis Hanson.....Thank you so much for continuing to speak out against bad players in the US Government. You are such a great person to provide additional information on which citizens can make decisions....MORE INFORMATION!!!

[@davidyurchi4362]

The exact content I wanted! Can't wait for the continuation of this series and to add more books to my reading list!

[@johnemery7787]

Have you read 50 shades of grey?

[@pieapp4652]

Better would be if the world improved

[@kevinodom2918]

This is a great man. Reminds me of my grandfather. He fought in Normandy & I'm glad he never had to witness what's going on today.

[@tonyauxier5411]

Great insights into the changes taking place in the United States. Younger people are unaware of how incredibly different things are with regard to civics, and views of the United States, the Constitution, and American history they have tbeen taught in comparison to previous generations.

[@jonathanmorgenstern4252]

My IQ increases everytime I focus on what Professor Hanson says.

[@BecomeAWebDev]

Hanson's observations are all 'classics' in and of themselves.

[@ammonheinzen8536]

Always a pleasure to listen to Victor. Now, if only I could recall all this knowledge when I face down my belligerent leftist siblings at family gatherings where we sometimes debate these issues.

[@ehfoundation4700]

Victor Davis Hanson Great Citizen Thinker Writer Evaluates Hypocrisy in Our Country that has Devalued our Society; now third world status!

[@jameshernando2122]

I’ve listened to VDH for some time now and have come to revere this man’s clear thinking analysis. He’s informed by history and reason

[@lindaboeckman8806]

I love VDH!! As a matter of fact let's nominate him for Person of the decade with a periodical we respect!

[@brimopm]

Comprehensive thoughtful interpretations to this chaotic time living within the American system. VDH, the thought leader of our time.

[@b22091]

SOMONE PLEASE!!!! Buy Mr. Hanson a decent video camera. I have had a "A War Like No Other" for years, I am sure I will buy this one.

[@EBM4545]

And a good Mic.

[@callmeishmael7452]

I’ll buy it. Well worth it for the value. There is only one VDH in 330m Americans.

[@randomactivitiesco.5848]

New book!!!!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 Hanson knows his stuff! My oldest is in college now and every time she needs a good source...well, Mom suggests the best!

[@bradknierim9997]

Hey, I joined a club today! VDH dead on as always. Great review. Thanks

[@garysmith789]

Yea VDH. Thank God there are a few true Americans intellectuals left that speak the truth. It is amazing what growing up on a farm where you actually learn how to work and the value of freedom.

[@roryphares6192]

My dude right here! One of the greats.

[@lisarandall6144]

Mr. Hanson, there is a cluster of elites patting themselves on the back because you've articulated their success in breaking the unbreakable.

[@callmeishmael7452]

Nailed it Lisa.

[@TheRomeerome]

Big fan of each of these gentlemen. VDH is a genius and Bill is a great interviewer.

[@gianfrancobenetti-longhini8192]

I thought Hanson was "much" older, when compared to some of my friends here in Italy, that are over 90, and speak like 30 years olds and climb stairs like 40 years olds. Must be our Italian diet. That aside, I enjoy following his ideas, that cannot be found in those that have always lived in big cities since young.

[@alicemccain585]

LOVE THE BOOK CLUB! tHANK YOU!

[@ameliam7898]

Wisdom is the application of knowledge & understanding. I find VDH to be an embodiment of this…

[@TheWhitehiker]

Victorious Davis Hanson.

[@randpherigo9724]

Nice job Bill..! great interview

[@carlbyronrodgers]

Very enjoyable.

[@rayman1611]

Wouldn’t he make a great President! Actually, I should not wish that on anyone who is a good person. I have the utmost respect for him.

[@bukymo]

Great job VDH ❤️

[@Comment394]

Victor your presentation on this show turned out to be very interesting. Your 'Old Man' comments about yourself in the beginning was a bit of a turn off. I'm 68. But I'm glad that I watched the whole show.

[@timchapman5567]

I'm 81, and glad Vic's much younger so that he will be around and continue to enlighten me until I leave the building.

[@jimwerther]

But he looks ten years older 😁

[@dougg1075]

It’s all over folks

[@kileywooten8865]

I'm looking forward to read this one although I follow VDH so closely I suspect it will be all rather familiar. It's still nice to have a reference and collection of Dr. Hanson's ideas on the core agent of free citizenship. BTW, Let's go Brandon!

[@fchrisb804]

Thanks Guys. This was very interesting and insightful! Looking forward to more! Thanks.

[@cliffdariff74]

this is the difference between a conservative and a liberal.. citizenship is one very important factor. it takes just a bit of intelligence to know this. an intelligence that liberals do not contain.

[@youtubehatesus2651]

thx, love VDH

[@Ladybearclaw28806]

I was in NJ and wow I saw many "Let's Go Brandon!" Flags! LOL!

[@constitutionalist1528]

I enjoy learning from this great man

[@judyhorn6715]

VICTOR DAVIS HANSON NEEDS HIS OWN TALK SHOW

[@sammavitae114]

Never trust politicians who think of you as a taxpayer instead of as a citizen.

[@ramsnover3599]

THANK YOU MR.HANSON

[@suzannespanier4492]

You are a delight. Your work. Stay around for a long time.

[@rosario508]

Love me some VDH

[@oldsachem]

Where I live, Las Vegas, I find almost no one with whom I can speak about serious issues of civilization.

[@TheBikerboy55]

A true gentleman and brilliant scholar

[@janepstk]

I love Victor Davis Hanson, how apropos to have such a wonderful mind on your inaugural book discussion……I am subscribed to your cancel now and hoping for more wonderful books for you to discuss

[@a.k.4o]

I see V.D.H. I click

[@Clyde.artwork]

Love everything VDH does. Bought his new book on audible. The fact that he doesn't narrate the book...it's deflating, a letdown.

[@timchapman5567]

He's busy -- and he's talking about it here.

[@miyojewoltsnasonth2159]

I prefer that the author narrate their own book ... why do audio publishers not do this more than 10% of the time?

[@EBM4545]

Mr Davis if I lived in California I would invite you and wife over for dinner and cook something nice. It would be fascinating to talk with you off the record about interesting things🙂

[@melly22577]

Love this!!

[@jimwerther]

Victor Davis Hanson is a really sharp guy, but this interview is hardly an easy watch.

[@databang]

Good talk. Thanks for sharing.

[@hermanvanniekerk1270]

Human behavior is controlled by two emotions: Greed and Fear. When greed overtakes fear humans will do anything.

[@richardgrosvenor5084]

Bill, VDH sees himself as the Lone Ranger.

[@prospectorpete3738]

Wow his writing method is exactly how I do mine, the only difference is mine is trash.

[@lynneshine6606]

Can't wait to get a copy to read!

[@jtaylor0727]

VDH is remarkable and a year younger than me ... so watch that OLD GUY TALK..LOL! live long and help my grandchildren prosper!!!

[@jimgordon6629]

Thank God we still have a few great thinkers like Victor Davis Hanson, Niall Ferguson and Jordan Peterson. But I fear for what’s going to happen to us in the next three years. We have a frightening prospect before us! Never have we been seriously threatened with losing our freedom, not from a foreign enemy but from within. The McCarthy era was nowhere near as menacing!

[@mares3841]

Thank you.

[@pieapp4652]

Love VDH!

[@6663000]

VDH is the wisest man in the world.

[@ye333]

The problem is obvious. The underlying cause is clear. But is there any good solution?

[@dougarthur4834]

let"s pray we can return

[@andreastruble]

Please write a book about decision making and the background of tasks needed making a decision.

[@andrewwhite9268]

Just ordered your new book Sir

[@patriciaswanson8463]

…this guy is so intelligent…I wish I had 1/2 his brain power…

[@mavisemberson8737]

Known world wide now!

[@GoMoreHike]

VDH ftw !

[@kitsapkatt]

Is it available in paperback yet?

[@deathlarsen7502]

VDH is missing just about nothing not having an "active social life"

[@andreastruble]

Great choice!

[@cumulusterraticus3446]

Those 📌Fixed ! things like not social global turbo business last decades lead to a ditch ☝️

[@jackdeshazer]

I agree with your sentiments Maria 100%. I don't believe they are appropriate, however, if speaking to a naturally born citizen.Honestly I would appreciate your reply.

[@ainslie187]

Victor is great, the interviewer is not good though.

[@spencerwhitworth6548]

Cranky old grandpa....but an absolutely correct cranky old grandpa

[@VideovigilanteUSA]

“Lets go Brandon”

[@Lizardo451]

Make "Seven Days in May" fiction again.

[@kingcrazymani4133]

If you want to understand the underlying reasons for why civics education was intentionally eroded post-1980, you have to look at the reality of 2000 Boston and beyond. Since then, every display of the death throes of old notions of civics and civility has been a distraction. Those who lived in the distraction(s) have been handed a chance. Without the distractions, you would have a modus vivendi as enforced around the Crazyman by mostly God Almighty since 2000. That simple. Who ever thought we’d see a 21 year civil war never once publicly acknowledged as extant? Answer: the planners of the war. One trail the planners left in their sloppiness is “burning the ships” by tossing civics education. Expertise has been a major casualty.

[@nathanngumi8467]

Word.

[@farmerjohn6526]

Propaganda from politicians, schools and media is to blame for a dying citizen.

[@udz39]

Please, someone present VDH with a firstclass microphone.

[@Vacidity]

I endorse Kyle Julinski

[@swordoff7]

Dr. Hansen, You didn't mention the Indigenous population who make up part of our identity in the United States of America. I suppose you addressed the new comers to the United States. On the other hand you mentioned people who are migrating from South of the border. So again, you didn't mention the Indigenous North Americans.

[@christiane.g.4142]

66 democrats have thus far viewed this

[@ralphnabozny8494]

victor is busy these days,

[@mrminer071166]

Western Civ falling apart isn't just the same tang, without VDH making his gloomy observations.

[@Olivia45735]

I’m sure it’s a great book and he’ll make $$$$ but, not even one snowflake will read it.