A wonderful essay, and review/survey of books I probably will never make time to read, but am glad to know about. Thank you Mr. Tanenhaus and NYT!
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There seems a very British contempt for the "lower" classes or the "common" man in every use of the word populism. It's a complex word, suggesting that the average person is neither the proper object of political concern, nor that they have the intellectual or emotional capacity to guide a democracy. Statesmen are rather dragged through the mud when they appeal to the little people, and we need policies that are sparkling clean like the people at the top. Ideology?
Simply put, the left-wing, in their standard rabble-rousing rhetoric, succeeded in telling the populace to be discontent, but failed to realize that the discontent was inherently anti-establishment and that the empress-elect is most clearly beholden to the big banks and billionaires you told us to hate. You, lady in grey, gave us Trump and Sanders, and then slit Sander's throat and wonder why Trump is winning.
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See also "Political Animals" by historian Rick Shenkman on how our emotions often drive us to make poor political decisions. Lots of political history and neuroscience.
I think it is simple math: People are paid too much to sit idle. And they are not paid enough to work and be productive.
Supposedly we have the best education system in the world. Supposedly. But, simple math eludes us.
Supposedly we have the best education system in the world. Supposedly. But, simple math eludes us.
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Had to stop at the comparisons between Huey Long and Bernie Sanders.
Disgusting and unfair...
Disgusting and unfair...
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"Not so long ago, indeed as recently as the George W. Bush years, conservatives wrote odes to the hinterland masses, salt-of-the-earth yeomen and yeowomen filling the Nascar stands between heaping plates at Applebee’s."
I'd rather spend an afternoon with the people you referenced above than an appletini-drinking Manhattanite. I'd learn a lot more about the real America and probably be treated much better as well.
I'd rather spend an afternoon with the people you referenced above than an appletini-drinking Manhattanite. I'd learn a lot more about the real America and probably be treated much better as well.
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I believe U.S. citizens are becoming much more aware that their representatives are bought and paid for political hacks very beholden to their financial supporters and not to the majority of their constituents.
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These books tell me that America will finally have its fascist moment. It has waited so long for it and its philistine strongman. The more the Left tries to reverse inequality, the more the Right will counter revolt, and this is the dance of madness that shall take place in the coming decades.
Of course this fascist moment will eventually fail, but not before it bleeds the world. Last time its price tag was 20-million KIA and 50-million civilians killed.
Build yourself a small fireproof room.
Michael: How bad do you think it's gonna be?
Clemenza: Pretty goddam bad. Probably all the other Families will line up against us. That's all right. These things gotta happen every five years or so, ten years. Helps to get rid of the bad blood. Been ten years since the last one.
Of course this fascist moment will eventually fail, but not before it bleeds the world. Last time its price tag was 20-million KIA and 50-million civilians killed.
Build yourself a small fireproof room.
Michael: How bad do you think it's gonna be?
Clemenza: Pretty goddam bad. Probably all the other Families will line up against us. That's all right. These things gotta happen every five years or so, ten years. Helps to get rid of the bad blood. Been ten years since the last one.
2
Looks like Paul Ryan perfectly summed it all up in 2012 when he said the poor lacked "good discipline, good character." This guy, currently second in line to the presidency, only recently apologized for calling the poor "takers" in great Ayn Randian form. There is no question that Republicans hold in disdain everyone who is not wealthy, and their rhetoric every day, of the poor being the cause of their own poverty, simply proves it.
And then there is Hillary Clinton, still fighting the battles of the 1960's promising to even out the poverty so that black people don't suffer any more than white people, while she collects her quarter million dollar speaking fees for saying so to the applause of her fellow multi-millionaires.
And then there is Hillary Clinton, still fighting the battles of the 1960's promising to even out the poverty so that black people don't suffer any more than white people, while she collects her quarter million dollar speaking fees for saying so to the applause of her fellow multi-millionaires.
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Many graduates are finding very good paying jobs as they get out of school- those that are either connected or stand out for their excellence in relevant fields certainly are in demand.
The idea that every one who comes out of college with a similar degree is equally qualified to do excellent work is a myth. When there are fewer jobs than workers, employers can be picky and then squeeze their picks for more performance for less pay.
I have my own business and try to hire people who will make me money. Most of those who want to work for me would cost me money if I hired them- so I don't hire them but I do worry about them.
As the world becomes increasingly complicated and automated, fewer and fewer potential workers are going to be of use. If they are not of use they may become desperate and dangerous, so even those without a heart better start thinking about how we will find meaningful jobs for even the less accomplished or fortunate amongst us.
As Obama stated recently in an interview, we are going to need a lot more service jobs and they are going to have to pay a whole lot better than most do now. And, by the way, some of the money will have to come out of the pockets of you excellent strivers out there.
The idea that every one who comes out of college with a similar degree is equally qualified to do excellent work is a myth. When there are fewer jobs than workers, employers can be picky and then squeeze their picks for more performance for less pay.
I have my own business and try to hire people who will make me money. Most of those who want to work for me would cost me money if I hired them- so I don't hire them but I do worry about them.
As the world becomes increasingly complicated and automated, fewer and fewer potential workers are going to be of use. If they are not of use they may become desperate and dangerous, so even those without a heart better start thinking about how we will find meaningful jobs for even the less accomplished or fortunate amongst us.
As Obama stated recently in an interview, we are going to need a lot more service jobs and they are going to have to pay a whole lot better than most do now. And, by the way, some of the money will have to come out of the pockets of you excellent strivers out there.
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America is obviously made up of many "American underclasses." Trump has given them all a voice and the response has been extraordinary. For many, not affected by Trump anger, "pre-election funk" is a painful and deserved reality. Brexit hasn't helped.
These election-time-sensitive books allow for enough variety to appeal to and/or depress everyone trying to sort out the mountains of political diatribe (aka "hogwash") is a daunting undertaking.
Personally, from the perspective of an 80 year-old, I'd say the deck is stacked against just about 99% of all Americans, despite their political leanings, religions, memberships, all of it. Wealth rules and we have the Congress and the SCOTUS to show for it.
This great variety of books discussed by Mr. Tanenhaus offers readers the opportunity to fine tune political hates and grievances and we are a very receptive audience. The proof lies in our having elected Bush for two terms and then turned around and done the same for Obama.
I'm not entirely sure America knows what the hell it wants but if you are seeking guidance, here is a list of books to help you on your way.
These election-time-sensitive books allow for enough variety to appeal to and/or depress everyone trying to sort out the mountains of political diatribe (aka "hogwash") is a daunting undertaking.
Personally, from the perspective of an 80 year-old, I'd say the deck is stacked against just about 99% of all Americans, despite their political leanings, religions, memberships, all of it. Wealth rules and we have the Congress and the SCOTUS to show for it.
This great variety of books discussed by Mr. Tanenhaus offers readers the opportunity to fine tune political hates and grievances and we are a very receptive audience. The proof lies in our having elected Bush for two terms and then turned around and done the same for Obama.
I'm not entirely sure America knows what the hell it wants but if you are seeking guidance, here is a list of books to help you on your way.
3
The GOP masses are "useful idiots" as my GOP politically connected sister likes to call them. Look at the shinny Gawd/Guns/Gays issue while the other hand reaches for their wallets. They are clueless.
3
"Alabama... chased out 'illegals' and then had to recruit 'guest worker'” from Africa, Haiti and Puerto Rico to cover the night shift at vacant poultry plants." Guest workers from Puerto Rico? Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens by birth. Stunning how an attempt to understand populism can't even understand who is, and who is not, a U.S. citizen.
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How do you know the people from PR were born there, and therefore US citizens, or immigrants to PR?
1
There has never been anything wrong with populism at any time in history. That it appears to be on the rise again has more to do with how bankers, hedge fund managers, and the politicians they purchased to do their bidding have sold out the working classes of all colors and decimated the world’s economy. There is widespread anger in America and it’s not limited to one racial group.
Tanenhaus mentions the shift to identity politics in the current campaign without noting the double standard at work. For instance, why is it permissible for blacks, Asians, and Hispanics to disparage whites with impunity but when someone like Donald Trump speaks the truth about illegal immigration and how Congress has ignored the working classes, he is excoriated? Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the old-time established media are perpetuating a form of class, race and gender warfare that directly attacks whites but she gets a pass because they are gambling that white liberal guilt will do its part to remain silent about it.
Divide and conquer has always been an effective strategy to keep the powerful, powerful and it is clear that it is in the interest of the old-line MSM to perpetuate a narrative of division among class, race and gender lines. So far it appears to be working as it keeps everyone else distracted from the real culprits who have caused the greatest harm to America and the economy.
Tanenhaus mentions the shift to identity politics in the current campaign without noting the double standard at work. For instance, why is it permissible for blacks, Asians, and Hispanics to disparage whites with impunity but when someone like Donald Trump speaks the truth about illegal immigration and how Congress has ignored the working classes, he is excoriated? Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the old-time established media are perpetuating a form of class, race and gender warfare that directly attacks whites but she gets a pass because they are gambling that white liberal guilt will do its part to remain silent about it.
Divide and conquer has always been an effective strategy to keep the powerful, powerful and it is clear that it is in the interest of the old-line MSM to perpetuate a narrative of division among class, race and gender lines. So far it appears to be working as it keeps everyone else distracted from the real culprits who have caused the greatest harm to America and the economy.
22
Populism has always been a plague. From the various groups who put dictators and tyrants like Gracchus, Marius, and Caaesar at the head of Rome, to the peasant revolts of the Dark Ages, to the aftermath of the French Revolution, to the rise of the Nazi Party, to Peron, to dozens of other Latin American dictators ... populism is how demagogs become tyrants.
Well Ken, if our "Leaders" are so smart, they'd be able to deflect this trend. Number 1 rule of being bought and sold, is to pretend to be stupid. As they do quite well.
Beyond the sarcasm, doing their duties in great and fabled democracy, includes the Reverent Protection of those that are most susceptible to "populists". They have FAILED beyond miserably.
See Ken, when you bought and sold, you immediately have to dumb down....
Beyond the sarcasm, doing their duties in great and fabled democracy, includes the Reverent Protection of those that are most susceptible to "populists". They have FAILED beyond miserably.
See Ken, when you bought and sold, you immediately have to dumb down....
3
An excellent rondelay (?) mixture of most interesting takes by some smarts on both sides to help the voter/citizen/human in this period of time understand in some small way the rivers that led to this current state of affairs. I like the comparison to the 1890s period of the very rich and the beginnings of the reform era. Yes, Trump and Sanders represent two extremes of a way through this rather rough period of time. And yes, I place blame of the GOP who has used those most vulnerable to economic inequities to risible levels via ridiculous issues like abortions and guns, among several. In the meantime, other sexual politics has seemingly ridden away with some victories, although as Orlando proves, at a high price. I hope for a seasoned, reasonable candidate like Hillary, warts and all, to bring us together in a more hopeful and reasonable way.
5
Still waiting for someone to explain why the Rep. establishment won't admit the reason why Trump won; they are the party of the rich, for the rich, and their policies impoverished our middle class, exported their jobs, stole their retirement and tried to replace them with cheap foreign labor, to avoid paying Americans a decent wage with benefits and a pension - They are for the one percent, to the detriment of the nation and her people. And the one percent is for them.
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