Jonah Goldberg Criticizes Bipartisan 'Ungratefulness' Towards America's Global Contributions

Conservative commentator Jonah Goldberg recently voiced profound disappointment with what he perceives as a widespread lack of appreciation for the United States' historical global impact. In a social media post, Goldberg asserted that while "America hasn’t been perfect" and has "made grave mistakes," there is "no country that has ever done more for improving the world."

"It breaks my heart how unappreciative Americans across the ideological spectrum are of that," Goldberg stated in the tweet. He further elaborated on this sentiment, criticizing that "much of the left rejects we’ve ever been good for the world, much of the right wants to stop being good for the world. Shame on all of them." His remarks underscore a deep concern for the nation's self-perception and its role on the global stage.

Goldberg, a prominent conservative intellectual, is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Dispatch. He is the author of several best-selling books, including "Liberal Fascism" and "Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics Is Destroying American Democracy" (2018). These works consistently explore themes of national identity, political polarization, and the erosion of classical liberal values.

In "Suicide of the West," Goldberg argues that the current societal malaise stems from a profound "lack of gratitude" for the unique achievements of Western civilization and the "miracle of liberal democratic capitalism." He contends that this ungratefulness, coupled with the rise of tribalism and identity politics, represents a conscious "choice" towards decline rather than an inevitable historical process. His recent tweet directly reflects this core thesis, applying it to contemporary American political attitudes.

His critique extends to both ends of the political spectrum, viewing their respective rejections of American exceptionalism as converging towards illiberalism. Goldberg has long advocated for a return to foundational principles and a renewed sense of appreciation for the nation's historical contributions. He posits that this internal division, fueled by ideological extremism and a failure to acknowledge shared national strengths, undermines the very fabric of American democracy and its capacity for positive global influence.

The commentator's public statements, including this recent tweet, serve as a direct challenge to what he sees as a dangerous trend of national self-deprecation and ideological tribalism, urging Americans to recognize and value their country's unique legacy.