Ed Luce on Democracy, Trump and American Apathy

Philadelphia Eagles fans sing the Eagles fight song during the “Celebration of America” event on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Washington. President Donald Trump quickly scheduled the event with military bands after canceling a visit with the Philadelphia Eagles as he stoked fresh controversy over players who protest racial injustice by taking a knee during the national anthem.
Philadelphia Eagles fans sing the Eagles fight song during the "Celebration of America" event on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Washington. President Donald Trump quickly scheduled the event with military bands after canceling a visit with the Philadelphia Eagles as he stoked fresh controversy over players who protest racial injustice by taking a knee during the national anthem. Andrew Harnik / AP Photo
Philadelphia Eagles fans sing the Eagles fight song during the “Celebration of America” event on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Washington. President Donald Trump quickly scheduled the event with military bands after canceling a visit with the Philadelphia Eagles as he stoked fresh controversy over players who protest racial injustice by taking a knee during the national anthem.
Philadelphia Eagles fans sing the Eagles fight song during the "Celebration of America" event on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, June 5, 2018, in Washington. President Donald Trump quickly scheduled the event with military bands after canceling a visit with the Philadelphia Eagles as he stoked fresh controversy over players who protest racial injustice by taking a knee during the national anthem. Andrew Harnik / AP Photo

Ed Luce on Democracy, Trump and American Apathy

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Since Donald Trump’s election, many of his actions and policies, be they cultural or political, have ignited passionate debate on the future of liberal democracy, and the weakening of democratic institutions and norms. Even Trump’s decision to “disinvite” the NFL Superbowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles from a White House visit is a topic of scholarly debate. We’ll talk with British writer and commentator, Edward Luce. He’s been following undemocratic trends in the West. Luce details his observations in his new book, The Retreat of Western Liberalism. He’s the Financial Times’ U.S. columnist. Luce recently saw his first American football game. He’ll tell us what the experience revealed to him about the current state of the American ethos.