Is the fabric of our civilization being torn by identity politics, nationalism and populism? Are Americans ignoring character and competence in an “us vs. them” political landscape? Political analyst Jonah Goldberg will examine divisiveness in U.S. politics and discuss possible solutions in his talk, “Suicide of the West” Thursday, Nov. 29, at 5:15 p.m. in Klarman Hall’s Rhodes-Rawlings Auditorium. His lecture is free and open to the public.

“Jonah Goldberg is a phenomenon. Not only is he an astute and individualistic commentator on today’s political and cultural scene as well as a stimulating writer, but he is also one of the liveliest public speakers you will ever hear,” said Barry Strauss, the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies in the Department of History. “We are grateful he will be speaking as part of our programs on Freedom and Free Societies.”

Goldberg is a fellow and Asness Chair in Applied Liberty at the American Enterprise Institute, where he writes about political and cultural issues. He is a senior editor at National Review, and he writes a nationally syndicated column that appears in more than 100 newspapers across the United States. His most recent book is “Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics Is Destroying American Democracy”; he is also the author of two New York Times best-sellers, “The Tyranny of Clichés” and “Liberal Fascism.”

The talk is sponsored by the Program on Freedom and Free Societies, which aims to enhance understanding and appreciation for constitutional liberty by stimulating inquiry into the nature and meaning of freedom.

Claire A. Perez is communications assistant in the Department of History.