SPARK DISCUSSION

Help us grow Barrington Indivisible

Zakaria has written one of the best explanations of how the U.S. reached its present state. Given the pace of change of modern life, our current predicament may have been inevitable in part. He argues that radical advances (revolutions), including broad structural changes involving technological transformation, economic acceleration, new intellectual ideas and globalization advances, cause disruptions in the social fabric. They trigger personal identity shifts. Periods of radical advance throughout history are often followed by a backlash in which people yearn for a fictional golden age. Zakaria notes that we are living through “one of the most revolutionary ages in history.”

The Barrington area library has two hard copies and an eBook. There should be copies in many other local libraries. The call number is 909 ZAK. New and used editions are available at the usual sales outlets.

The Barrington Area Library provides Meeting Room space as a community service. The Barrington Area Library neither sponsors nor endorses this event nor the presenting individuals or organizations.

PAST SPARK TOPICS

.October 2025 - The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement.

This month's discussion centered around the ideas presented in Sharon McMahon's book, The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement.

This work considers and celebrates what it takes to be an agent of change. History is not only made by the heroes we know. The course of our country’s history is often changed by unknown but courageous, persistent, and diverse citizens who have the courage and drive to go beyond and achieve a just end.

September 2025 - Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism.

We discussed the ideas in Anne Applebaum’s Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism.

Applebaum analyzes the reasons for the drive toward authoritarianism, on a global, national and personal level. She talks about the model of the new right’s illiberal one-party state, which was originally, and ironically, developed by Lenin. This model for holding power can accommodate all types of ideologies, and doesn’t require large scale violence. It does need its followers to accept an alternative reality, while an impartial political system is destroyed

November 2025 - Which country does the most good for the world?

We discussed the concept of the “Good Country.” Simon Anholt suggests that we should focus on countries doing good globally: how they can and should positively impact others beyond their own borders.

Anholt says that the benefits and negatives of globalization seem to have taken us by surprise. However, we need to collaborate on worldwide problem-solving, despite our antiquated organization into nation-states whose governments look inward.

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