The Politics of Our Time

The Politics of Our Time
Populism, Nationalism, Socialism

A one-volume history of the most consequential political movements of our time—populism, nationalism, socialism—and how they are influencing the twenty-first century

The distinguished political analyst John Judis has brought out a book with Columbia Global Reports during each of the last three national political seasons: The Populist Explosion in 2016, The Nationalist Revival in 2018, and The Socialist Awakening in 2020. Together, these books chart the rise during the second decade of the twenty-first century of new and unexpected political movements in the United States and Europe that arose in the wake of the Great Recession, the conflict with al-Qaeda and ISIS, and encroaching climate change.

Judis has revised and updated these three books, and written a new introductory essay that seeks to explain the tumultuous last decade—most notably, Donald Trump's presidency and the response to a global pandemic and recession. This volume is an indispensable guide to understanding the deeply rooted disenchantment that gave rise to populist parties and politicians on the right and left—and to the global changes that have transformed the politics of our time.

“Essential reading.” —E.J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post

The Politics of Our Time
  • ISBN: 9781735913605
  • Price: $27.95
    Hardcover
  • E-book ISBN: 9781735913612
  • On Sale: May 11, 2021
  • Pages: 430

Praise

“This is a must-read book for anyone who wants to understand, well, the politics of our time.” Politico

“Judis writes, as usual, with clarity and wit, and his knowledge of modern politics in Europe and North America is vast.” Wall Street Journal

“A sobering assessment of recent history as a string of poorly managed catastrophes … skillfully argued book.”Kirkus Reviews

“Judis compiles and updates his three most recent books in this lucid examination of political movements that have emerged in the U.S. and Europe over the past few decades in response to the failures of neoliberalism…. Judis’s wide-ranging study draws informative connections between disparate world events. Readers will walk away with a firmer grasp on current affairs.” Publishers Weekly

Coverage

John’s 5 Key Insights from the Book — Next Big Idea Club

7 New Books That Will Make You Sound Like a Genius — Next Big Idea Club

Podcasts

Populism, Nationalism, Socialism Combine to Define Crisis Moment in American Politics — America Trends

Can The Democrats Strike A Deal On Reconciliation Before Halloween, Biden Leaves Town? — The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Nationalism, Socialism, and Populism Today — Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

John Judis on the Influence of Recession, War and Pollution on Modern Politics — Keen On

Events

21st-Century Populism, Nationalism, Socialism: Columbia University virtual event — watch the video

Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival Summer Series 2021 — watch the video

In conversation with George Hammond of the Commonwealth Club — watch the video

About the author

John B. Judis
© Miranda Sita

John B. Judis is Editor-at-Large at Talking Points Memo and author of many books, including The Socialist Awakening, The Nationalist Revival, The Populist Explosion, and The Emerging Democratic Majority, cowritten with Ruy Teixeira. He has written for numerous publications, including The New Republic, The National Journal, The New York Times Magazine, and The Washington Post Magazine. Born in Chicago, he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley. He lives in Silver Spring, MD.  @johnbjudis