Ill Fares the Land

Tony Judt argues that the shift toward radical individualism and privatization since the 1980s has eroded the foundations of civil society. He examines how the dismantling of the social democratic state—specifically the loss of public services like transportation, healthcare, and education—has replaced collective purpose with material self-interest. The text analyzes the transition from the post-war consensus to a neoliberal framework, focusing on the rising income inequality and social alienation that followed. Judt advocates for a renewed commitment to the public sector and a political language built on ethical obligation rather than mere economic efficiency.

This book is intended for readers concerned with the decline of public institutions and the history of twentieth-century political thought. It appeals to those seeking a defense of social democracy and an explanation for the current polarization within Western democracies. Readers obtain a historical framework for understanding the consequences of deregulation and a vocabulary for debating the role of the state in providing for the common good. It clarifies how economic policy directly shapes the moral health of a community.