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How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps summary
An account of the political forces threatening to tear America in two
9 mins
Brief summary
How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps by Ben Shapiro is a political critique that argues America's survival depends on preserving its founding values of individual freedom, limited government, and Judeo-Christian values.
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How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps
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Americans have long been united by three simple and fundamental beliefs.
These days, it seems that Americans have less and less in common. One political row after the other means we’re constantly at each other’s throats. And we’ve become more intolerant and argumentative on social media. Often, it seems the nation is on the brink of tearing itself in two.
It seems that Americans really have fallen into two broad camps. There are those, like the author, who think we’re fundamentally a united people. And then there are those who prefer to focus on the divisions instead. The author calls the first group Unionists. The second group he calls Disintegrationists.
So, how did we get here? To answer that question, we first need to understand the traditional philosophy of the United States.
The key message here is: Americans have long been united by three simple and fundamental beliefs.
According to Unionists, there are three basic beliefs that have always underpinned American unity. They are enshrined front and center in the Declaration of Independence.
The first is an insistent focus on rights – namely, the rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” According to the Declaration and to those who uphold its values, these rights are natural human prerogatives that can never be taken away. In this view, humans are automatically entitled to certain basic provisions because human beings are inherently valuable and possess the ability to reason. Rights, in short, rest on human nature.
The second unifying belief also appears in the Declaration. It’s the assertion that all men are created equal.
Now, this doesn’t mean that everyone has equal abilities and characteristics. We all know that some of us are smarter than others, some kinder, and some more athletic. What equality does mean here is that the law should apply to everyone equally. Rather than discriminating between citizens on unfair, arbitrary grounds, authorities should treat everyone equally and impartially.
Now for the third and final unifying belief. This is the idea that the government exists in order to protect our rights and to make sure we’re treated equally – and that it should do very little beyond that. In other words, the government shouldn’t interfere with the private lives of American citizens. Provided people don’t meddle with anyone else’s rights, Unionists argue, the traditional American attitude is to let them do whatever they please.
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What is How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps about?
How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps (2020) is an account of the political forces threatening to tear America in two. Drawing on history, philosophy, and politics past and present, this book emphatically argues that Americans should remember exactly what it is that unites them.
How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps Review
How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps (2020) by Ben Shapiro is a thought-provoking book that explores the factors jeopardizing the unity and stability of the United States. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:
- Shapiro provides in-depth analysis of the cultural and political divides plaguing America, leading to a better understanding of the challenges we face.
- Through evidence-based arguments and historical references, the book offers valuable insights into the dangers of identity politics and the erosion of foundational principles.
- With its friendly but persuasive tone, this book stirs intellectual discussion and inspires readers to critically assess the threats to American society.
Best quote from How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps
American philosophy rests on three fundamental, eternal, unalienable ideas.
—Ben Shapiro
Who should read How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps?
- Political junkies trying to understand the polarization of US politics
- Conservatives discouraged by the drift of American society
- US citizens interested in trying to bridge the political divide
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How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps FAQs
What is the main message of How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps?
The main message of How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps is an analysis of the forces dividing the nation and a call for unity.
How long does it take to read How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps?
The reading time for How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps a good book? Is it worth reading?
How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps is an eye-opening and thought-provoking book. It provides valuable insights into the challenges America faces and offers potential solutions.
Who is the author of How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps?
Ben Shapiro is the author of How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps.
What to read after How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps?
If you're wondering what to read next after How To Destroy America in Three Easy Steps, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Right Side of History by Ben Shapiro
- Personal History by Katharine Graham
- We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
- Get to the Point! by Joel Schwartzberg
- Myth America by Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer
- Next Move, Best Move by Kimberly Brown
- East of Eden by John Steinbeck
- Mythos by Stephen Fry
- Perfectly Confident by Don A. Moore
- Artificial Intelligence for Learning by Donald Clark