The Atlantic·4 min read·hard

The Key to Understanding the Traditionalists

The Key to Understanding the Traditionalists
AI Summary

The author critiques David Brooks' analysis of traditionalism, arguing that psychological types are less important than the economic and technological pressures that force people to seek safety in traditional institutions. The piece suggests that modern uncertainty, driven by AI and economic scarcity, is the real catalyst for reactionary politics.

The Atlantic August 11, 2026, 7 AM ET Share Save History Is Running Backwards In the May issue, David Brooks considered why reactionaries are taking over the world. Explore the September 2026 Issue Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.

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