[lbo-talk] Why Richard Hofstadter Is Still Worth Reading

Chip Berlet c.berlet at publiceye.org
Tue Oct 10 14:53:06 PDT 2006


Hi,

I am critical of some of what Hofstadter wrote, but not all of it, and there is much still worth reading. Populism is complicated. Much of what is attributed to Hofstadter was actually witten by Bell and other pluralists.

McCarthyism, however, was largely anbattle of elites--Business Nationalists v. Business Internationalists. Ball-bearing manufactureres against International Finance--and there was more than a little antisemitism involved.

This has roots in popular movements as well, and Moishe Postone has a lot to say about this.

Joel Kovel has written about the limitations of left-wing populism.

See:

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From: lbo-talk-bounces at lbo-talk.org on behalf of Jesse Lemisch Sent: Tue 10/10/2006 5:33 PM To: lbo-talk at lbo-talk.org Subject: Re: [lbo-talk] Why Richard Hofstadter Is Still Worth Reading

What in the world does Doug think H's condemnation of "paranoia" is, if not an expression of disapproval of movements from below? Many on this list have cited the relevant works that put Hofstadter in context and supersede him. It's sad that a worthy left intellectual like Doug should be so attached to yesterday's news in history, though it's a common problem. I'd love to cite Charles Beard on the Constitution, but somehow what's happened since 1913 has lessened my desire to romanticize him.

Jesse Lemisch

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