1. After History Ended.
- Author
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KLION, DAVID
- Subjects
- *
GLOBAL Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 , *RIGHT-wing populism , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
"When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s" by John Ganz examines the political and social climate of the United States after the Cold War. Ganz argues that despite the perceived victory of liberal democracy in 1989, the country faced challenges such as right-wing movements, deindustrialization, racism, conspiracy theories, and despair. The book explores the rise of influential figures like David Duke, Rush Limbaugh, and Ross Perot, providing historical context to understand their emergence. Ganz portrays a grim era marked by economic instability and social unrest, which created fertile ground for demagogues. The book also delves into the political landscape of the early 1990s, focusing on George H.W. Bush's presidency and the rise of alternative political movements. It analyzes the lack of direction in Bush's 1992 reelection campaign, which allowed candidates like Bill Clinton and Pat Buchanan, who had clear ideologies, to gain traction. Ganz also explores the intellectual roots of paleoconservatism and its reaction to neoconservatism, as well as the cultural fascination with mob culture during this time. The book concludes in 1993, leaving readers to contemplate the connections between the political trends of the 1990s and the presidency of Donald Trump. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024