2025年9月10日中午，31岁的美国保守派活动家、评论员查理·柯克（Charlie Kirk）在犹他州的犹他谷大 学校园里举行的演讲活动中，被人射杀。在被送往附近的医疗机构进行抢救之后，柯克不治身亡。当地 时间下午2时40分左右，美国总统特朗普亲自发出了他死亡的信息。事发当天开始，美国国内出现了舆 论风暴。许多人想当然地把这一事件的凶手，想象成保守主义的反对者。人们震惊于美国国内频发的暴 力事件。很多国家的政要也表达了对美国国内矛盾加剧的关切。 这让笔者想起托克维尔在1835年出版的《论美国的民主》。这是一部被认为是美国政治和文化史的顶级 经典之作。托克维尔在书中以一个"外国人"的视角中美国这个新生的国家毫不吝惜地写出了大量的正面 评价，他对于美国各地的"平等状态"感到震惊。然而三年后的1838年，时年28岁的亚伯拉罕·林肯发表 了著名的青年学会演说，直言这个国家面临着威胁："蔓延全国的对法律的日益藐视……以及比野蛮的 暴民更为恶劣的群体……"。林肯之所以和托克维尔有着南辕北辙的观点，是因为他刚刚了解到当时一 件令人发指的针对黑人的暴行：一位在蒸汽船上工作的黑人被一群白人在圣路易斯被活活烧死。更令人 震惊的 ...

Group 1 - The article discusses the duality of America, highlighting the coexistence of liberalism and non-liberalism throughout its history [2][4] - It emphasizes that the liberal tradition in America has often overshadowed its non-liberal aspects, which include white supremacy and hierarchical exclusion [4][6] - The book "The Crisis of Freedom" by Steven Hahn provides a historical perspective on America's current challenges, arguing that non-liberalism has been a structural part of its political development for 250 years [1][11] Group 2 - The rise of populism in America, exemplified by Donald Trump, is rooted in a deep social foundation and historical inevitability, reflecting the frustrations of white working-class communities [7][10] - Trump's support base includes three main factions: the MAGA movement, traditional right-wing Wall Street supporters, and Silicon Valley tech elites, although tensions exist within these groups [7][9] - The article notes that the political landscape is highly polarized, with significant divisions between Republican and Democratic parties, further exacerbated by economic inequality [10][11] Group 3 - Economic inequality in America is highlighted, with 1% of the population holding a disproportionate amount of wealth, leading to social unrest and movements like Occupy Wall Street [11][12] - The decline of manufacturing in the U.S. has resulted in the deterioration of many white working-class communities, contributing to the rise of populist sentiments [12][14] - The article suggests that understanding America's complexities is crucial for engaging with it effectively, especially in the context of its historical and philosophical underpinnings [14][17]

Core Argument - The book "The Crisis of Freedom" by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Steven Hahn argues that illiberalism has been a fundamental aspect of American history, challenging the notion that the U.S. has always been a beacon of liberalism [1][4][25] Group 1: Historical Context of Liberalism and Illiberalism - The connection between America and liberalism has been long-standing, particularly in political and rights contexts, forming the basis of America's unique historical narrative [3][4] - Critics from both the left and right have pointed out the limitations and failures of liberalism, suggesting that it is often intertwined with illiberal practices [4][5] - Illiberalism has emerged as a significant challenge to liberal norms, gaining recognition only recently as a concept that questions the established liberal democratic standards [4][5] Group 2: Characteristics of Illiberalism - Illiberalism is associated with hierarchical orders, elite rule, limited political participation, militarism, and a clear delineation of enemies, often mocking liberal ideals [5][6] - The book emphasizes that illiberalism is not merely a reaction to liberalism but has deep historical roots that predate the emergence of liberal thought [5][9] - Illiberalism encompasses a range of political and cultural ideas that have shaped American society, often manifesting in various forms of authority and community dynamics [10][11] Group 3: Evolution of Illiberalism in American History - The book traces the historical trajectory of illiberalism in America, highlighting its persistent features such as community dominance, suspicion of outsiders, and a desire for cultural homogeneity [10][11] - Illiberalism has been a central force in shaping political and cultural dynamics, influencing the nature of governance and societal relations throughout American history [11][12] - The narrative of illiberalism is presented as a complex interplay of social practices and political authority, rather than a mere opposition to liberalism [19][20] Group 4: Contemporary Implications - The book aims to reveal the fragile foundations of liberal principles and the significant obstacles faced by movements advocating for rights and inclusion [21][22] - It discusses how illiberalism has been intertwined with right-wing politics in America, although it does not equate illiberalism solely with conservatism [22][23] - The exploration of illiberalism in the context of social justice movements highlights the ongoing struggle for inclusion and empowerment among marginalized groups [24][25]