Age of Anger audiobook cover - A History of the Present

Age of Anger

A History of the Present

Pankaj Mishra

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HistorySociety & CulturePhilosophy

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Age of Anger
Enlightenment's Failed Promises+
Psychological Roots of Rage+
Rousseau's Foresight+
Globalization's Impact+
Reckoning for the West+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
According to the text, what was an unintended consequence of the spread of Enlightenment principles?
  • A. It eradicated religious belief entirely across Europe.
  • B. It successfully enforced total equality among all social classes.
  • C. It cemented inequality and made societal unfairness more visible to people.
  • D. It caused a permanent decline in the appeal of populist leaders.
Question 2 of 7
How does the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard define 'ressentiment' in the context of the book?
  • A. A deep love for oneself that is independent of the opinions of others.
  • B. A backlash against society's beneficiaries and the liberal elite who dictate moral behavior.
  • C. The feeling of unity and shared purpose found in nationalist movements.
  • D. The psychological damage caused specifically by extreme poverty.
Question 3 of 7
Why is Jean-Jacques Rousseau's concept of 'amour-propre' particularly relevant to modern society?
  • A. It explains the modern resurgence of organized religion.
  • B. It outlines the necessary economic conditions for liberal capitalism to succeed.
  • C. It highlights the importance of science and reason over emotion.
  • D. It perfectly describes the anxiety and focus on image presentation driven by social media.
Question 4 of 7
How did Rousseau differ from his contemporary Enlightenment philosophers, such as Voltaire, regarding religion?
  • A. Rousseau recognized the value of religion as a moral guide for the masses, whereas others dismissed it.
  • B. Rousseau believed religion was the root cause of inequality, while Voltaire defended it.
  • C. Rousseau wanted to replace Christianity with a new religion based strictly on science and reason.
  • D. Rousseau argued that only the aristocracy could truly understand religious texts.
Question 5 of 7
According to the text, what role has globalization played in the current state of global anger?
  • A. It has successfully replaced national identities with a unified, peaceful global culture.
  • B. It has weakened local communities and left individuals lost in a sea of consumerism.
  • C. It has eliminated the appeal of demagogues by providing widespread economic stability.
  • D. It has strengthened the central role of the church in modern political governance.
Question 6 of 7
What does the example of Abu Musab al Zarqawi illustrate about the root causes of modern extremism?
  • A. That extremist violence is primarily driven by deep-rooted religious devotion instilled from a young age.
  • B. That the 'Clash of Civilizations' theory accurately predicts the behavior of Middle Eastern leaders.
  • C. That Enlightenment principles of reason and science can easily be weaponized by terrorist groups.
  • D. That many violent extremists are actually lashing out due to the systemic failures of liberal capitalism.
Question 7 of 7
What is the 'Clash of Civilizations' theory that the author argues the West must shed?
  • A. The idea that liberal capitalism and socialism cannot coexist in a globalized economy.
  • B. Samuel P. Huntington's argument that Islam is inherently bloodthirsty and a threat to Western democracy.
  • C. The belief that working-class and elite populations are destined for a global civil war.
  • D. The concept that modern technology is fundamentally incompatible with traditional ways of life.

Age of Anger — Full Chapter Overview

Age of Anger Summary & Overview

Age of Anger (2017) examines the world and the upheaval it’s undergoing. These blinks look back to earlier societies and dissect the origins of our current travails. They also pay close attention to the philosophical teachings of the Enlightenment, which still influence Western thought today.

Who Should Listen to Age of Anger?

  • Anyone with questions about the societal effects of globalization
  • Students of philosophy and history
  • Anyone with unanswered questions about the current state of the world

About the Author: Pankaj Mishra

Pankaj Mishra is an Indian author and essayist whose other works include From the Ruins of Empire: The Revolt Against the West and the Remaking of Asia, which became the first book by a non-Western writer to win the Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding. He also contributes to the New York Times, the Guardian and the New Yorker as well as numerous other publications.

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