James Scaminaci III, PhD

James Scaminaci III, PhD, a political sociologist and former U.S. naval intelligence officer, dives into the notion of a ‘crisis of legitimacy’ in the U.S. He highlights how fourth-generation warfare (4GW) psychologically undermines state credibility. Scaminaci discusses the role of the Christian Right, anti-intellectualism, and donor networks in shaping current political dynamics. He also traces the historical roots of delegitimization efforts, linking contemporary tactics to past movements like McCarthyism. The conversation urges a reevaluation of moral values to combat these trends.