Many people are frightened, anxious and in despair about this country, and I feel many of those same emotions.

But today I want to explore the possibility that something good may come out of this awfulness — a silver lining on this darkest of clouds.

I know it is hard to see that now. Some people may feel that nothing good can come out of it at all. But history is full of pendulum swings — backlashes, reform movements and eras of progressivism that follow periods of regression.

I asked several historians, political scientists and political advisers whether they believe anything good will come out of this awfulness and, if so, what it might be. I have arranged their responses below. Please add your thoughts.

Hence, today’s Office Hours question: Will anything good come of this awfulness?

1. No.

I honestly do not think anything good will come from the darkness we are now going through. Trump and his sycophants have already destroyed so much that was good in America, created such chaos, robbed and cheated America out of so much wealth, legitimized so much bigotry and hate, and undermined so much of America’s moral authority that it will take many generations to get us back to where we were before — if we can ever get there.

2. Yes. It will create a new commitment to reversing inequalities of income, wealth and privilege.

We are now experiencing what happens in a society whose economic benefits have been siphoned off by those at the top: an angry working class willing to embrace a demagogue, billionaires seceding from the rest of society, a shrinking and frightened middle class, and a political system run by and for large corporate interests. In that sense, the turmoil is also exposing long-running strains in the economy and in democratic representation, and that may produce a huge backlash in which America reverses these terrifying inequalities of income, wealth and political power.

3. Yes. It will foster a new dedication to the rule of law and ending corruption.

The biggest backlash will be against those who have placed themselves above the law, who have used the law to punish people who tried to hold them accountable, and who have bribed, corrupted and undermined the legal and political systems on which democracy is based. The issue is not only individual misconduct but also the damage done when institutions are treated as tools of personal advantage. Because of this backlash, future presidents will no longer be able to use the Justice Department for personal vendettas or rewards, rake in huge amounts of money for themselves and their families, or exercise arbitrary power.

4. Yes. It will fuel a new generation of progressive leadership.

I believe the best thing to come out of this will be a new generation of progressive leaders, similar to those who emerged in the 1930s and 1960s — politicians, grass-roots leaders, heads of nonprofits, even some CEOs. They will be leaders who understand that our prosperity and success depend on the prosperity and success of many others, who seek diversity and inclusion, and for whom fostering social justice, protecting human rights and preserving the planet are core values.

Is there any good that is likely to come out of the horrific time we are now going through?

Robert Reich is a professor of public policy at Berkeley and former secretary of labor. His writings can be found at .