BTP2NA_T_7 American Political Culture II:

The Neo Trends and Current Discourse

(Ph.D. American Studies, University of Debrecen

Spring 2018)

Time: block taught

Place: 120/2

Tutor: Tibor Glant (WED 13-14, THU 9-10 and by appointment; ext. 22507)

Course Description

This course concludes our survey of American political culture and thought. In the previous semester we reviewed American concepts of “liberal”, “conservative”, and “radical” so we begin with three different readings of these narratives. We then focus on Neoconservatives, Neoliberals, Libertarians, and Theocons. While these do not have “bibles” in a way the ones discussed last semester do (Hartz, Kirk, and Zinn), we will take a close look at some iconic texts.

Rules of the Game

The class is a seminar and requires extensive reading. Class sessions are block taught and may not be missed under any circumstances. Targeted questions for readings will be announced ahead of time to help preparation for class. Students will make one in-depth presentation each on a set of ideas of their choice. Readings for each session are listed below. Students may get an additional 10 credits for writing a research paper of 2,500 words.

Grading

Students will be graded on the strength of their class performance and presentation on the usual, 1 to 5 scale. Students are advised that the quality of their written and spoken performance will count significantly toward their final grade.

Essay

The research paper should conform to all university regulations and must be in proper academic English. A minimum of 2,500 words are required, including references but excluding bibliography. The paper must have a title page, page numbering, and our compulsory plagiarism disclaimer: “Hereby, I certify that the essay conforms to international copyright and plagiarism rules and regulations.”

Overview of Sessions

Session 1: Critical readings

In this session we will discuss contemporary takes on what we discussed last semester by using key writings of Goldberg, Rakove, and Scruton. Goldberg wrote a critical review of the rhetoric of the “American left” in Liberal Fascism, Rakove discusses “originalism” and its pitfalls in Original Meanings, and Scruton offers a unique take on the New Left in Fools, Frauds and Firebrands.

Readings: Jonah Goldberg, Liberal Fascism in America. The Secret History of the American Left from Mussolini to the Politics of Meaning (New York: Doubleday, 2007), Introduction, chapters 2, 3, 9, and 10; Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997), chapters 1 and 11; and Roger Scruton, Fools, Frauds and Firebrands: Thinkers of the New Left (London and New York: Bloomsbury, 2015), Introduction and chapters 7 to 9.

Session 2: The Neocons

In this session we will discuss what is “neo” and “conservative” in Neocon, and how does it compare to European ideas. We hope to identify their position on key domestic and foreign political issues, including race, gender, economy, and the environment, as well as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, China, Russia, and the EU. We will read Steinfels’ work on the movement and Kristol as primary text.

Readings: Peter Seinfels, The Neoconservatives: The Origins of a Movement (New York: Simon and Schuster Paperbacks, 2013), which is a new and revised edition of the 1979 original, and Irving Kristol, The Neoconservative Persuasion. Selected Essays, 1942-2009 (New York: Basic Books, 2011), selected essays from each chapter.

Session 3: The Neoliberals

In this session we will discuss what is “neo” and “liberal” in Neoliberal, and how does it compare to European ideas. We hope to identify their position on key domestic and foreign political issues, including race, gender, economy, and the environment, as well as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, China, Russia, and the EU. We will read Harvey for background and history and Saad-Filho and Johnston for primary texts.

Readings: David Harvey, A Brief History of Neoliberalism (Oxford: Oxford UP, 2005); and selections from Alfredo Saad-Filho and Deborah Johnston, eds., Neoliberalism: Critical Reader (London and Ann Arbor: Pluto Press, 2005).

Session 4: The Libertarians

In this session we will discuss the various definitions of libertarian over time in American history then assess their position compared to the ideas discussed thus far. We hope to identify their position on key domestic and foreign political issues, including race, gender, economy, and the environment, as well as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, China, Russia, and the EU. We will use Boaz on ideas and his reader for primary texts.

Readings: David Boaz, The Politics of Freedom. Taking on the Left, the Right, and Threats to Our Liberties (Washington: CATO Institute, 2008); and David Boaz, ed., Libertarianism: A Primer (New York: Free Press, 1997), elections.

Session 5: Leftovers and new trends

In this session we will take a look at Theocons, the Tea Party Movement, White Supremacists, and responses to the Trump phenomenon. We hope to identify their position on key domestic and foreign political issues, including race, gender, economy, and the environment, as well as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, China, Russia, and the EU. Readings are TBD.

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