The Realignment 487: John Ganz: How the 1990s Broke America - Con Men, and Conspiracies, and a Failed Transition from the Reagan Years
Jun 18, 2024
Author John Ganz discusses the cracks in American society in the early 1990s, the rise of outsider presidential candidates, and the influence of con men and conspiracy theories. The conversation explores forgotten struggles of the era, the impact of third-party candidates like Ross Perot, and the generational change in politics, including Trump's influence on the Republican Party.
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Early 90s Marked by Insecurity
- The early 1990s were a period of insecurity and fragmentation despite later nostalgia for the decade's prosperity.
- Psychological and economic tensions marked the start of the decade, contrasting with the usual positive memory.
1990-91 Recession Impact
- The recession of 1990-1991 deepened economic struggles, especially in regions like Southern California and New York City.
- Job losses, high crime, and homelessness contributed to a gloomy, fragmented social atmosphere.
Rise of Militias and Conspiracies
- The mid to late 1990s saw economic recovery but underlying issues like militias and domestic terrorism began to rise.
- Conspiracism spread from far-right fringes into mainstream conservative politics during this period.