The Cyclic Irruption of the Sacred in the Collapsing Late West

Matteo Meschiari and Anita Romanello's article 'Nel luogo oscuro del mito' examines the resurgence of the sacred in contemporary politics, particularly in the Late Western world. They argue that beneath the hypocritical veneer of leaders who consult magicians, evangelical ministers, or ancient texts like a Bronze Age book, there is an authentic and violent force that must be taken seriously to understand the paradigm shift affecting all aspects of society. The authors note that until recently, it would have seemed impossible to hear politicians utter phrases reminiscent of crusade sermons or fantasy priestly incantations. The residual Enlightenment, legalist, and humanist intellectual framework that still supports a segment of political thought and a specific generational cohort (ages 50 to 80) struggles to accept that war and sacred violence are re-emerging as central themes.