Etienne Alexandre Beauregarde, author of "Anti-Civilization", joins a discussion with Terry Newman to argue that Western society is facing a crisis due to excessive individualism and lack of shared norms, which has particularly affected Generation Z. According to Beauregarde, this isolation could be a turning point as Generation Z may be able to establish the social norms they crave because they never inherited them from previous generations. The exact timing and specifics of when or how Generation Z will supposedly save the West are not mentioned in the article.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-20,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Etienne Alexandre Beauregarde, author of the book "Anti-Civilization: The Collapse of Society and the Case for the Common Good", argues that the West is facing a deep crisis due to an overemphasis on individualism and a lack of shared norms. This societal change has had a profound impact on Generation Z, leaving them isolated and craving common values. According to Beauregarde, this isolation may be exactly what allows Generation Z to potentially save the West by creating new norms that promote the common good.
Written for “Generation Z's Role in Saving West” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
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the excessive emphasis placed on individualism over common good
left criticizing individualism
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absence of shared norms, typically transmitted through generations
left lamenting decline of traditional values
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may be generation Z that saves the West by instituting the norms they never inherited but so deeply crave.
right optimism about potential for social change
Leaning score +0.20 for article 1517 (high confidence, 3 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-21
Etienne Alexandre Beauregarde joins the National Post’s Terry Newman to discuss his new book, “Anti-Civilization: The Collapse of Society and the Case for the Common Good.”
asserted
Beauregarde → join → Good
Beauregarde argues the West is experiencing a profound crisis due to the excessive emphasis placed on individualism over common good and the absence of shared norms, typically transmitted through generations.
asserted
West → argue → generations
Beauregarde argues that the isolation this societal change has created has deeply affected generation Z.
Plot twist: Beauregarde believes that this is precisely why it may be generation Z that saves the West by instituting the norms they never inherited but so deeply crave.
National Post
uncertain
they → argue → norms
