Barbarism, to paraphrase Christopher Dawson, is not a far-distant stage in the evolution of human society, but a perpetual possibility simmering under the surface of civilization. In no country on earth has barbarism erupted with more devastating force than in Somalia, a land of clashing creeds and ethnicities, murderous warlords, and, of course, those quintessential barbarians— pirates .
Partisanship is now (appropriately) at fever pitch, but some things should be beyond left and right. Among them is awed gratitude at the resilience of the American order. This is a nation where political reprisals take the form of unkind advertisements, and where the pirates illegally download Rocky III .
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
