Writer John Ganz discusses the transformation of America and conservatism in the early 1990s. Topics include Sam Francis's radicalism, Pat Buchanan's 'culture war' speech, Ross Perot and POW-MIA, Carroll Quigley's influence on Bill Clinton, John Gotti's appeal, and how these paved the way for Donald Trump.
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Quick takeaways
The 1990s witnessed America's unraveling through economic struggles and social upheaval.
Ross Perot's conspiracy-fueled beliefs and paramilitary approach blurred public-private lines in politics.
Bill Clinton's pursuit of power and engagement with international elites reflected political continuity.
Alternative responses to political dissatisfaction emerged, including crime bosses and militia movements.
Deep dives
John Gans Returns to Discuss His Book on Conspirators in the 1990s
The long-awaited return of John Gans to talk about his book, 'When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and America's Collapse in the 1990s,' is celebrated in this podcast episode, highlighting the deep discussions on the book's content and the engaging insights shared.
Economic Challenges and Social Unrest in the Early 1990s
The early 1990s marked a period of economic turmoil in America with the hollowing out of the middle class, job polarization, and a recession leading to widespread bankruptcies and foreclosures. Regional depressions like the one in Los Angeles highlighted the social and economic struggles faced by ordinary Americans during this time.
Ross Perot's Intriguing Role in Politics and Government Interactions
Ross Perot's involvement in politics and government affairs showcased his unique approach, running his company on a paramilitary basis and engaging in activities that blurred the lines between private enterprise and governmental interactions. His conspiracy-fueled beliefs and actions, especially concerning POW-MIA issues, revealed a complex and controversial figure in American politics.
Bill Clinton's Political Aspirations and Ideological Struggles
Bill Clinton's ambition to reach the highest echelons of power and influence was evident in his association with Carol Quigley's principles and his desire to engage with international elites. Despite critiques of his political motivations and aspirations, Clinton's efforts to portray a vision of political continuity and moderation in the post-Cold War era characterized his political career.
Challenges of Finding a Definitive Era-Defining Leader in the 1990s
The podcast explores the absence of a singular transformative figure in the 1990s that encapsulates a new regime or political common sense. Addressing the limitations of existing political literature in identifying distinctive eras during this time period, the discussion delves into the complexities of leadership and ideological shifts, highlighting the enduring impact of previous presidential legacies.
The Crystallization of Structural Commonalities in Political Phenomena
The podcast delves into the phenomenon of how figures like John Gotti and movements such as Ruby Ridge and militia groups represent alternative responses to political dissatisfaction. These alternatives serve as rejections of prevailing systems of government, offering a blend of traditionalist, hierarchical, and distributive elements. There is a common thread of lawlessness in pursuit of order seen in crime bosses, militias, and even the far right's efforts to establish their own laws, reflecting a deeper structural similarity.
Economic Transitions Impacting Solidarities and Political Imaginations
The discussion explores how technological and economic shifts have influenced the formation of solidarities and political possibilities. With the decline of traditional industrial structures resulting in communal detachment and increased market dependency, the appeal of gangster capitalism emerges from the absence of viable left alternatives. The podcast highlights the role of economic conditions in shaping societal forms of solidarity and political responses, contextualizing the emergence of figureheads like John Gotti in relation to societal shifts away from shared prosperity.
Something happened to America — and to American conservatism — in the early 1990s: an unspooling, a coarsening, a turn from substance to symbol and from narrative to fragment; prevailing political myths ceased to make sense or have purchase, and nothing sufficiently capacious or legible emerged to replace them, leaving only a dank, foggy climate of conspiracy, bellicosity, and despair. Victorious in the Cold War, America was supposed to be riding high; instead the whole country was experiencing a crisis of confidence.
Why? What happened? And did we ever get over it — or are we still somehow stuck in the "long 1990s?" No one is better equipped to tease out answers to these questions than our great friend John Ganz, whose riveting new book is called When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s. With his characteristic wit and panache, John guides us through a lively discussion of: Sam Francis's middle American radicalism; Pat Buchanan's "culture war" speech; Ross Perot and POW-MIA; Carroll Quigley's influence on Bill Clinton; John Gotti's appeal; and how these figures, and this era, prepared the way for Donald Trump. It's a barnburner, folks! Enjoy!
