In 'The Power Elite', C. Wright Mills critiques the organization of power in the United States, focusing on the interlocking interests of the military, corporate, and political elites. Mills argues that these elites, who often share similar educational backgrounds, family ties, and social connections, exert significant influence over American society to the detriment of ordinary citizens. The book explores how these elites maintain their power through public relations, educational institutions, and other social structures, and it questions the democratic nature of American society. The afterword by Alan Wolfe updates the analysis to reflect changes in American capitalism and society since the book's initial publication in 1956.
The novel 'Exodus' by Leon Uris is a historical fiction account that explores the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. It follows the stories of Jewish refugees, many of whom are Holocaust survivors, as they attempt to reach Palestine despite British opposition. The book delves into the back stories of its characters, the history of Jewish settlement in Palestine, and the broader political context of the time, including the struggle for independence and the conflicts between Jewish and Arab populations.
A novel by Jack Kerouac that explores themes of jazz, spirituality, and the search for meaning.
In 'The Affluent Society,' John Kenneth Galbraith examines the economic and social landscape of post–World War II America. He argues that while the private sector has become incredibly wealthy, the public sector remains underfunded and neglected, leading to significant social and economic disparities. Galbraith critiques the 'conventional wisdom' that prioritizes economic growth and consumer spending over public investment in essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He introduces concepts such as the 'dependence effect,' where consumer demands are created by the process of satisfying them, and advocates for policies to eliminate poverty, invest in public schools, and enhance public amenities. The book is a seminal work in the field of public policy and political economy, offering a prescient and insightful analysis of the contradictions of affluent societies[2][3][5].
The Catcher in the Rye follows Holden Caulfield, a teenager who has been expelled from Pencey Prep, as he spends three days wandering around New York City. The novel explores Holden's disillusionment with the world around him, his feelings of loneliness and disconnection, and his struggle to find genuine relationships. Despite his cynicism and criticism of others as 'phonies,' Holden reveals a deep emotional sensitivity, particularly in his interactions with his younger sister Phoebe. The book delves into themes of adolescent angst, the loss of innocence, and the search for meaning and purpose in a seemingly superficial world[2][4][5].
In 1959, Anti-Americanism surged in the UK. England seethed over America’s treatment of its Prime Minister who was smacked down for daring to use diplomacy to resolve the crisis over divided Germany. In 1959 England also fretted over a new American export: the Beatnik. The British foreign office forcefully responded with a report advocating for “ an increased effort in the field of press, radio and television in the U.K. to say the right kind of things about the Americans.” This is the very moment Kenneth Tynan was commissioned to make a documentary for British Television about American Non-conformism and Dissent. We take a close look at one of the Cold War's most bizarre and inspired artifacts of Anti Anti-American propaganda.
Shownotes: Laura Bradley writes on Brecht and German theater. Kenneth Tynan’s documentary aired on January 27th, 1960 and then was supposedly erased (it wasn’t).
Support ToE and get access to the incredible exclusive bonus companion series to Not All Propaganda is Art by subscribing at https://theoryofeverything.supercast.com/, or subscribe directly in Apple Podcasts by hitting “Subscribe” right on the show page.
Benjamen Walker's Theory of Everything 
