Age of Anger

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Age of Anger

Role / Field:

An analysis of modern political backlash against globalization and Western ideals.

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Age of Anger: A History of the Present is a 2017 nonfiction book by Indian author Pankaj Mishra. Mishra accounts for the resurgence of reactionary and right-wing political movements in the late 2010s. He argues that nationalist, isolationist, and chauvinist movements, ranging from terror groups such as ISIS to political movements such as Brexit, have emerged in response to the globalization and normalization of Western ideals such as individualism, capitalism, and secularism. Mishra notes that disorder and violence naturally accompanied the coming of industrial capitalism in the Western world, citing events such as the French Revolution, the Revolutions of 1848, and two World Wars.

Key Developments & Impact

He argues that the rest of the world is now undergoing that same series of shocks and that new tensions resulting from the Enlightenment are not yet resolved even in Europe. He criticizes the view that early-twentieth-century strife was an aberration interrupting a long history of steady progress and increasing prosperity, instead arguing that disorder is endemic to modernity. In the first half of the book Mishra dwells on the dispute between philosophers Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau,...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1848: 1848 Milestone — Mishra notes that disorder and violence naturally accompanied the coming of industrial capitalism in the Western world, citing events such as the French Revolution, the Revolutions of 1848, and two World Wars.
2. 2017: 2017 Milestone — Age of Anger: A History of the Present is a 2017 nonfiction book by Indian author Pankaj Mishra.

Notable Quotes by Age of Anger

“The rest of the world is now undergoing that same series of shocks.” (2017)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Age of Anger

True or False: “The resurgence of right-wing movements is solely due to a failure of modern capitalism.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Mishra argues the backlash is a response to the globalization and normalization of Western ideals, not just capitalism itself.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adam West — Historical peer (Died in 2017) (2017): American actor best known for portraying Batman in the 1960s and extensive voice work.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Historical peer (Died in 2017) (2017): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• Albert I of Monaco — Historical peer (Born in 1848) (1848): Prince of Monaco, devoted to science, exploration, and modernizing the state.
• Arthur Balfour — Historical peer (Born in 1848) (1848): British Conservative statesman, Prime Minister (1902-1905), and Foreign Secretary.

Frequently Asked Questions about Age of Anger