Trump’s Return

Trump Is Selling the Wrong Idea of Freedom, Says Author of On Tyranny

We have handed power to those who want us more alone, more deceived and more divided.

Photo: Getty Images

We have the wrong idea of freedom in America. The misunderstanding is so great that it leads us toward oligarchical fascism—as in the election of Donald Trump.

For Americans, freedom is negative: It is me against something. In the Hollywood version, it is me against the world. In the Silicon Valley version (the libertarian version), it is me against the government. It’s a short step from there to the Trump version—me against my neighbors.