Adam Gopnik examines the paradox of accepting mass casualties during the Civil War while overlooking the significant loss of civil liberties that accompanied it. With historical examples showcasing how wartime measures have allowed for executive overreach—from Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus to modern responses by presidents like Trump—Gopnik raises questions on the implications of prioritizing national security over civil rights. He argues that political divides made the Civil War inevitable and critiques how wartime practices continue to influence contemporary governance.
Gopnik highlights the paradox of accepting mass death for history's rewards and points out the overlooked cost of civil liberties lost during war.
The expansion of executive power, under the guise of national security, has historically led to infringements on civil liberties, prevalent from Lincoln to Trump.
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