In a provocative analysis published via The Daily Signal, senior contributor Victor Davis Hanson posits that contemporary American society, particularly within its major urban centers, is experiencing a paradoxical regression he terms "modern medievalism." Hanson argues that while one segment of society propels forward with unprecedented technological and scientific advancements, another simultaneously devolves into conditions reminiscent of the medieval period, characterized by public health crises, rampant crime, and pervasive urban squalor. This stark dichotomy, he contends, is not an accidental byproduct of progress but a direct consequence of a deeply entrenched, "toxic ideology" embraced by a societal elite.
The Dual Trajectory: Progress and Regression
Hanson’s central thesis hinges on the idea of "progressive regressives," where rapid technological leaps coexist with a dramatic decline in basic societal functions. He draws a vivid parallel to the historical medieval period, roughly spanning from the fall of the Roman Empire in the West (circa AD 500) to the dawn of the Italian Renaissance (AD 1300-1400). This era, often referred to as the Dark Ages in its early stages, was marked by severe epidemics such as the bubonic plague, typhus, and smallpox, alongside appalling sanitation in urban centers that had largely forgotten Roman advancements in sewage and aqueduct systems. Security was tenuous, leading to the proliferation of fortified castles and walled cities, with gates closing at dusk to deter pervasive crime.
Yet, this period of widespread hardship was also a crucible for significant intellectual and architectural achievements. The medieval era saw the creation of literary masterpieces like Chaucer’s "Canterbury Tales" and Dante’s "Inferno," profound theological works such as St. Thomas Aquinas’ "Summa Theologica," and breathtaking architectural feats like the Gothic cathedrals of Seville and Cologne. The construction of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople in 536 AD, which remained the largest church in Christendom for a millennium, underscores the era’s sophisticated engineering. Innovations like mass-produced crossbows and eyeglasses also emerged, demonstrating a selective, albeit impactful, progression.
The Modern Epoch: Technological Zenith Meets Urban Decay
Fast-forward to 2026, and Hanson observes a similar, albeit inverted, duality. On one hand, humanity has reached an unprecedented zenith of technological capability. Individuals can connect globally in seconds via smartphones, access vast repositories of information through inexpensive computers and advanced artificial intelligence programs, and consume endless entertainment via satellite. The nation itself is engaged in ambitious space exploration, pushing the boundaries of human presence beyond Earth. Breakthroughs in medical science are bringing humanity closer to conquering diseases like cancer, and AI is revolutionizing creative and professional fields, capable of composing complex documents or even generating multimedia content.
However, against this backdrop of extraordinary progress, Hanson points to a disturbing regression in the daily lived experience within many major American cities. He cites outbreaks of diseases long thought eradicated due to modern sanitation and public health infrastructure. For instance, reports indicate a typhus breakout in Los Angeles County in recent years, a disease typically associated with unsanitary conditions and flea vectors. Similarly, Berkeley has reportedly seen cases of leptospirosis, a bacterial disease spread through rat urine. These occurrences, Hanson argues, are symptomatic of a broader decay in urban environments.
The proliferation of homeless encampments across major cities serves as a stark visual manifestation of this regression. Descriptions of public spaces in cities like Berkeley and Los Angeles include individuals openly engaging in urination, defecation, drug injection, and other antisocial behaviors. The presence of significant amounts of human waste, requiring specialized removal, highlights a profound breakdown in public hygiene and order. Hanson vividly illustrates this paradox by describing sophisticated researchers in "space-age laboratories" in San Francisco or Chicago needing to check their shoes for feces upon entry, underscoring the juxtaposition of advanced scientific pursuit with medieval-level squalor mere blocks away.
Furthermore, Hanson draws a provocative parallel between medieval public spectacles and contemporary societal attitudes towards crime. While medieval societies held public hangings and beheadings as moral condemnations of wrongdoers, Hanson contends that modern society, in certain progressive circles, appears to glorify or empathize with criminals. He references instances where alleged murderers, such as Luigi Mangione (whose actions were reportedly met with jubilation by some) or Lindsay Clancy (who tragically strangled her children but was purportedly cast as "every woman" by parts of the feminist left), receive a level of sympathetic attention that, to Hanson, surpasses mere reporting and verges on veneration. He asserts that while medieval societies recognized and punished wrongdoing, elements of modern discourse seem to invert this, celebrating or excusing acts that would traditionally be condemned.
The Ideological Underpinnings: Hanson’s "Why?"
Hanson does not view this modern medievalism as an accidental side effect of societal complexity. Instead, he attributes it to a deliberate and "toxic ideology" embraced by what he terms a "cultural elite." This ideology, he argues, is fundamentally rooted in a belief in "mandated, government-sanctioned equality of result," rather than equality of opportunity. To achieve this, the world is arbitrarily divided into "victims" and "victimizers," a classification often based on class, but increasingly, on race.
Once an individual is categorized as a "victim" and deemed not responsible for their plight, Hanson contends, society’s perceived duty shifts to allowing that individual to "express themselves," even if it entails antisocial or criminal behavior. He provides examples: teenagers looting a jewelry store are excused as being "hungry and needing food," while homeless individuals on the street are attributed to the failures of the "majority culture." The practical consequence of this framework, in Hanson’s view, is that individuals engaging in dangerous behavior are often deemed exempt from law enforcement or societal norms that apply to others.
Pernicious Addenda: Elite Exemption and Moral Superiority
Hanson identifies two particularly "pernicious" aspects of this ideological framework:
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Elite Exemption: Those who champion this ideology and its policies are rarely, if ever, subjected to its consequences. Hanson highlights that figures like Nancy Pelosi do not have homeless encampments surrounding their homes, nor do celebrities like Jane Fonda contend with individuals injecting drugs outside their doors. Hollywood figures who advocate for the homeless often live in highly secured, exclusive enclaves. Hanson asserts that "we, the lab rats," are the ones upon whom these experiments in social policy are conducted, while the architects of the policies remain insulated from their adverse effects.
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Moral Superiority: Hanson further suggests that this elite, often agnostic or atheist, has replaced traditional religious faith with a "post-Enlightenment caring" for victims, which imbues them with a sense of "moral superiority." This conviction, he argues, allows them to justify policies that lead to tangible urban decay – crime, filth, and homelessness – because they perceive their actions as inherently virtuous, regardless of the practical outcomes. This perceived moral high ground, Hanson concludes, provides meaning in their lives, even as the majority finds the resulting societal conditions "morally repugnant."
Broader Implications and Counter-Narratives
Hanson’s analysis, while sharply critical, touches upon deeply complex issues facing contemporary urban societies. The challenges of homelessness, public health, and crime are undeniable and multifaceted. Data from various sources consistently highlight the growing unsheltered population in cities across the United States, with factors such as housing unaffordability, mental health crises, and drug addiction playing significant roles. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report indicated a record number of people experiencing homelessness nationwide, with unsheltered homelessness increasing significantly in many urban areas.
The resurgence of certain infectious diseases, while not necessarily at medieval pandemic levels, does raise concerns about public health infrastructure and sanitation. Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health departments have, in recent years, documented localized outbreaks of diseases like typhus, Hepatitis A, and tuberculosis in areas with high concentrations of unsheltered populations and inadequate sanitation. These outbreaks often necessitate costly public health interventions and underscore the interconnectedness of social welfare and public health.
On the issue of crime, many major cities have indeed experienced shifts in crime rates, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. While violent crime trends vary, property crimes, including organized retail theft, have been a significant concern in many urban centers, impacting businesses and residents alike. Discussions around criminal justice reform, including bail reform and progressive prosecution policies, are often at the forefront of public debate regarding these trends.
However, critics of Hanson’s perspective often argue that his analysis oversimplifies the root causes of urban challenges. They contend that issues like homelessness are not solely a result of "toxic ideology" but stem from systemic economic inequalities, lack of affordable housing, insufficient mental healthcare resources, and the opioid crisis. From this viewpoint, policies that prioritize compassion, harm reduction, and addressing root causes are seen as necessary, albeit challenging, responses to deep-seated societal problems, rather than a cause of decay. Furthermore, proponents of progressive criminal justice reforms argue that such measures aim to address historical injustices, reduce incarceration rates, and rehabilitate individuals, rather than simply excusing criminal behavior.
Hanson’s argument, therefore, serves as a significant contribution to an ongoing, highly polarized debate about the trajectory of American society. It forces a critical examination of the outcomes of prevailing ideologies and policies, prompting questions about the balance between individual freedoms, collective responsibility, and the practical demands of maintaining a functional, healthy, and safe urban environment in an era of unprecedented technological capability. The tension between advanced innovation and persistent, seemingly solvable, societal maladies remains a defining characteristic of this modern paradox.
