DOUGLAS GILES
Philosopher • Author • Political & Cultural Commentator
GETTING BEYOND TRUMP
Understanding the forces that brought us here — and where we go next
Donald Trump did not create America’s political crisis. He is a symptom of problems long entrenched in the nation’s political, social and legal systems. America isn’t the way it is because Trump is president. Trump is president because America is the way it is.
In Getting Beyond Trump, philosopher and author Douglas Giles looks beyond personalities and partisan horse-race politics to examine the deeper forces shaping American political life. He first identifies the forces that helped Trump win the 2024 election, then explores the roots of authoritarianism in the United States the development of an increasingly two-tiered society, the weakness of effective political opposition, and the social attitudes and institutions that allowed Trumpism to flourish.
Most importantly, Dr. Giles asks what comes next and what it would take to move beyond the politics that produced Trump and begin building a better society.
WHY THIS BOOK — AND WHY NOW?
Trump’s re-election didn’t happen in a vacuum. Understanding how it happened requires looking beyond campaigns, candidates and election-night numbers.
Getting Beyond Trump examines the historical and ideological roots of American authoritarianism, why current political movements have proven so durable, why opposition to the right wing has struggled to counter them effectively, and how seemingly separate political developments fit together.
Rather than simply reacting to the latest headline, Giles provides readers with a framework for understanding what is happening, why it is happening and where the country can go from here.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF POLITICAL COMMENTATOR
Douglas Giles isn’t a campaign operative offering horse-race analysis, nor does he approach politics as a Team Blue vs. Team Red sporting event. He’s a philosopher who studies the larger picture.
Dr. Giles examines political events through the lens of philosophy, history, ideology, power and human behavior. Rather than simply reacting to current events, he seeks to identify their causes and the social forces, institutions and attitudes operating beneath them.
His work is intended for people across the political landscape who want change, are dissatisfied with conventional partisan commentary and are interested in thinking seriously about what it would take to build a better society.
INTERVIEW & PODCAST TOPICS
Douglas can discuss Getting Beyond Trump as well as a wide range of political, philosophical and cultural subjects, including:
What Do “Left Wing” and “Right Wing” Actually Mean?
Moving beyond party labels to understand the fundamental divide underlying political ideology.
What Is “Woke” — and Why Does the Right Hate It?
Examining the ideas, anxieties and political forces behind one of America’s most contentious cultural battles.
What’s Wrong With the Democratic Party?
Why effective political opposition has struggled to emerge and what that reveals about the American political system.
The Libertarian “Broligarchy” and Its Brotopian Vision
How wealth, technology, libertarian ideology and concentrated power are shaping competing visions of America’s future.
What Christian Nationalism Really Is
Looking beyond the label to understand the movement’s philosophical, political and historical foundations.
How Corporations Shrunk the Information Space
How concentrated corporate power has transformed the information Americans encounter and the conversations they’re able to have.
Why Conspiracy Theories Flourish
What conspiracy theories reveal about belief, power, distrust and the way people make sense of a complicated world.
Douglas can also discuss the roots of bigotry and injustice, political ideologies and movements, the relationship between philosophy and culture throughout history and — yes — the philosophy of UFO phenomena.
AVAILABLE FOR
Podcast Interviews • Radio • Television • Print & Digital Media • Panels • Speaking Engagements
Douglas is currently booking podcast/YouTube appearances to discuss philosophy, politics, and other topics including his books:
How We Are and How We Got Here: A Practical History of Western Philosophy,
Left Wing, Right Wing, People, and Power: The Core Dynamics of Political Action, and
Why Trump?:Why Some People Support Him— How the Rest of Us Can Respond
Email for booking information. Please be aware that we will not consider inquiries sent from e-mail service providers like Gmail. We are happy to consider inquiries sent from private, verifiable Web site addresses. Thank you.