

#2719
Mentioned in 10 episodes
The Paranoid Style in American Politics
Book • 1964
In this seminal work, Richard Hofstadter explores the concept of the 'paranoid style' in American politics, which he defines as a way of seeing and doing politics characterized by heated exaggeration, suspiciousness, and conspiratorial fantasy.
The book, which includes the titular essay first published in Harper's Magazine in 1964, delves into historical examples such as the Anti-Masonic Movement, Father Coughlin's antisemitic conspiracies, and the post-McCarthy Right.
Hofstadter argues that this style is not exclusive to any one side of the political spectrum and has been a recurring theme throughout American history, influencing political discourse and the behavior of individuals and groups.
The book also includes other essays on topics like 'Free Silver and the Mind of 'Coin' Harvey' and 'What Happened to the Antitrust Movement?
'
The book, which includes the titular essay first published in Harper's Magazine in 1964, delves into historical examples such as the Anti-Masonic Movement, Father Coughlin's antisemitic conspiracies, and the post-McCarthy Right.
Hofstadter argues that this style is not exclusive to any one side of the political spectrum and has been a recurring theme throughout American history, influencing political discourse and the behavior of individuals and groups.
The book also includes other essays on topics like 'Free Silver and the Mind of 'Coin' Harvey' and 'What Happened to the Antitrust Movement?
'
Mentioned by


























Mentioned in 10 episodes
Mentioned by 

, discussing his conflicted views on Hofstadter's work and its application to American politics.


Jonah Goldberg

50 snips
Crackpot Realism
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regarding the paranoid style in American politics and its historical presence.

Jon Allsop

34 snips
How the Epstein Conspiracy Theory Took Over Politics
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as a book about the paranoid style in American politics.


Tom Holland

30 snips
392. JFK: The Road to the White House (Part 1)
Mentioned by 

as the originator of the term 'paranoid style' to describe McCarthyism in American politics.


David Runciman

25 snips
Politics on Trial: The Haymarket Eight vs the Police
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when discussing the paranoid style in American politics.


Justin Murphy

13 snips
Markets Learn to Manufacture Intelligence and Politics Modernizes (Nick Land, Meltdown, Sentence 3)
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as a book that often touches on conspiracy theories in American politics.

Jonathan Freedland

12 snips
Revisited: Did the assassination of JFK kickstart the conspiracy theory movement?
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in relation to his critique of anti-conspiracy polemics.

Josh Neal

Episode 1192: Anti-Conspiracy Activist's Self-Interested Motivations w/ Josh Neal
Mentioned by 

when discussing right-wing conspiratorial thinking in mid-20th century America.


Geoff Shullenberger

Geoff Shullenberger: Foucault in America
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, referencing the essay about a conspiratorial mindset in American politics.

Jonathan Church

Reconsidering Anti-wokeness with Jonathan Church
Mentioned by 

in the context of Marilyn Monroe's entanglement in conspiracy theories.


Dominic Sandbrook

237. Marilyn Monroe
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in relation to his essay on the paranoid style in American politics.

Jack Beatty

The Jackpod: Intellectual disgrace stares from every [Biden] face
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as one of the philosophical sources for her video on conspiracy theories.


Natalie Wynn

Summer Friday: Contrapoints; Iconic New York Films; Cancer Research History & Roundtable
Mentioned by 

as a useful philosophical source, specifically his essay on the John Bircher style anti-communist conspiracy theories.


Natalie Wynn

Brian Lehrer Weekend: Contrapoints; Child Care; SCOTUS 'Vibes'
Mentioned by 

as a philosophical source about John Bircher style anti-communist conspiracy theories.


Natalie Wynn

Contrapoints' Natalie Wynn Deep Dives into the Philosophy of Conspiracies
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when discussing the culture of suspicion in American politics.

Josh Neal

Episode 546: Josh Neal on Intolerant Interpretations
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in relation to the culture of paranoia and conspiracy theories in American culture.

Andrew Keen

Episode 2253: Andrew Keen revisits Cult of the Amateur
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in the context of the paranoid style in American politics.

Alex Wagner

Ep. #550: Michael Eric Dyson, Alex Wagner
Mentioned by 

in a discussion about conspiracy theories and their cyclical nature in American politics.


Shane Harris

Chatter: Closing the Chatterbox, with Shane Harris and David Priess
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for its analysis of the paranoid style in American politics.


Jerry Colonna

Jerry Colonna
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when discussing American conspiracy culture and politics.

Garrison Davis

Dogwhistle Politics and Nazi Code Hunting