Opinion | Give Me Liberty or Give Me … What?

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the possibility of a breakup or civil war in the United States, exploring various scenarios that could lead to such an outcome. It examines recent nonfiction books that warn of an American schism and the potential triggers for such a conflict.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Give Me Liberty or Give Me … What?

1. What are some of the potential scenarios for a breakup or civil war in the United States, as discussed in the article?

• California moving towards secession after the Supreme Court strikes down the state's strict gun control measures
• Texas rebelling when disputes over abortion laws grow deadly, with the state's National Guard remaining loyal to a second Texan republic
• A standoff between a beloved sheriff and a famous general over the closure of a local bridge by federal inspectors, with the rest of the country taking sides
• The coordinated bombing of state capitols timed to the 2028 presidential transition, with right-wing militias and left-wing activists blaming one another

2. What is the purpose of the author in presenting these scenarios? The author is not predicting what will happen, but rather highlighting the examples provided in recent nonfiction books that warn of an American schism. The point is that the country's politics and culture are susceptible to such possibilities, and the "crisis has already arrived" with only the "inciting incidents" pending.

3. How does the film "Civil War" differ from the scenarios presented in the books? The film "Civil War" does not provide a clear explanation of who or what started the new American civil war, or what ideologies are competing for power. This creates an additional layer of remove and disorientation for the viewer, as the story focuses on the experiences of weary journalists rather than the origins of the conflict.

[02] The Film "Civil War"

1. How does the film "Civil War" approach the topic of a potential civil war in the United States? The film takes a unique approach by not providing a clear back story or explanation for the origins of the new American civil war. Instead, it focuses on the experiences of the weary journalists at the center of the story as they travel from New York to Washington, D.C., hoping to score one last presidential interview before the capital falls.

2. What are the key features of the world depicted in the film "Civil War"? The film presents a dystopian and disorienting world, where the viewer is engaged with the war itself - the bouts of despair and detachment, of death and denial - rather than the underlying causes. The story is set against a backdrop of standard features like stadium camps, mass graves, and the need to use Canadian currency and navigate scenes of torture.

3. How does the choice of journalists as the film's protagonists contribute to the overall narrative? The choice of journalists as the protagonists creates an additional layer of remove, as these characters rarely discuss the origins of the conflict or question its politics, even among themselves. This further contributes to the disorientation and engagement with the war itself, rather than the underlying ideologies or causes.