Black Mass: Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia

Following the Cold War's end, many believed a consumerist, globalized, and peaceful future was assured. The twenty-first century disrupted this optimism, particularly through 9/11 and its consequences. Equally significant has been the Western embrace of the idea that a single political model should become a global standard, enforced by military means if necessary. In Black Mass, philosopher and critic John Gray examines how utopian ideals have become dangerous when adopted by right-wing conservatives and religious zealots. He traces utopianism's development from the Reformation through the French Revolution to the present day. Gray argues that utopian politics have migrated from the political extremes into mainstream governance, shaping the administrations of George W. Bush and Tony Blair and defining the political center itself. Gray contends that rather than abandoning discredited ideology, contemporary politics remains deeply influenced by it. The work presents a challenging analysis of these political currents.