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What The Troubles Can Teach Us About This Moment (w/ Patrick Radden Keefe) | How to Fix It

2025-11-02 News & Politics
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The Bulwark
The Bulwark
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Lessons from The Troubles: Polarization, Escalation, and the Fight for Truth

Uncover critical lessons from Northern Ireland’s “Troubles” that reveal how societies fracture and how journalists can maintain credibility amid chaos. Learn why historical patterns still warn against reckless escalation today.

Short Summary

  • Societies can rapidly shift from quiet division to intense, armed conflict within a few years.
  • State overreaction, like militarized policing response to peaceful protest, often radicalizes citizens.
  • Modern media fragmentation accelerates polarization by creating personalized, unverified realities for massive audiences.
  • Investigative journalism must urgently move past mere entertainment value to expose entrenched systemic misconduct.

This conversation connects investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe’s deep dive into the Northern Ireland conflict with current American polarization. They cover historical warning signs regarding escalation, the dangers of an objective reality failing, and how journalists must adapt when accountability mechanisms seem suspended.

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Description

Investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe joins John Avlon to unpack what Northern Ireland’s “Troubles” can teach America about polarization, violence, and the fight for truth. From the lessons of Say Nothing to the perils of propaganda, they trace how societies unravel, and how we can stop it before it’s too late. Keefe also dives into his craft, fact-checking at The New Yorker, writing like a novelist, and keeping faith in truth amid social media chaos. The Bench Burner Article: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/12/10/the-bench-burner Books Mentioned: Say Nothing — by Patrick Radden Keefe Empire of Pain — by Patrick Radden Keefe A Secret History — by Donna Tartt Presumed Innocent — by Scott Turow Wingnuts — by John Avlon Become a Bulwark Youtube Plus Member here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Hp1KbGw4e02N7FpPXDgQ/join

Top Comments (10)

@robertk1850 2025-11-02

The fact that the New York Times and others literally buried the No Kings Protests stories below the fold was an absolute failure.

80 19 replies
@stevecarleton163 2025-11-02

Lets be clear this discussion is specifically looking at similarities between USA now and Northern Ireland in late 60's, very early 70's. Not the troubles as a whole. Its about how it changes from a peaceful society into a violent one. There are a lot of parallels. I was brought up in 1970's Northern Ireland. I am worried about the things Stephen Miller is saying. Dehumanising ordinary people is dangerous.

38 3 replies
@One_ATA 2025-11-02

All because they never got over the idea of owning people.

30 1 replies
@stuckinks3569 2025-11-02

We need media literacy and critical thinking taught in classrooms. As a mom of an 8 year old, I’ve noticed many other parents are lacking these skills so their children aren’t learning them at home.

17 1 replies
@johndoe-jl5pq 2025-11-02

A wonderful chat . Thank you both for letting me listen in .

16
@DellaScott-t6c 2025-11-02

We had 4,000 people at our No Kings in Everett WA on Oct. 18. The Herald(our daily paper) didn't cover it. Not even a picture.Maybe the online edition did--the print edition certainly didn't.

11 1 replies
@lff12 2025-11-03

Very interesting to hear Keefe talk about this, its important to remember that the "process" in Northern Ireland is still ongoing and by no means a closed chapter.

7
@fernandorondon8650 2025-11-02

Patrick Radden Keefe -- one of the most insightful commentators around.

4
@benvoncamp 2025-11-02

I have a dear friend from Belfast. The troubles were his adolescence reality. It’s the worst-case and we are getting there. Many of us are even driving it forward.

4
@itaomahony502 2025-11-09

A truly wonderful conversation. Clear and concise and honest. Thank you. 🇮🇪

1

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