Office Hours: Will Anything Good Come of This Trumpian Awfulness?

Friends,

Many of you are frightened, anxious, and in despair about this country. I feel many of these same emotions.

But today I wanted to explore with you the possibility that something good may come out of this awfulness — a silver lining on this darkest of clouds.

I know, I know. It’s hard to see now. Some of you may feel that nothing at all good can come out of it. But history is filled with pendulum swings — backlashes, reform movements, eras of progressivism following times of regression.

I’ve asked several historians, political scientists, and political advisers whether they believe anything good will come out of this awfulness and, if so, what it might be. I’ve arranged their responses below. Please add your thoughts.

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