In the controversial essay, which was first published in the November 1964 issue of Harper’s Magazine, “The Paranoid Style in American Politics,” Richard Hofstadter argues how the prevalence of paranoia in American politics has dominated the politics in the country. Hofstadter asserts American politics has been governed by paranoia since the creation of the United States, and it has manifested itself into the minds of both average Americans and intellectuals. He contends that paranoia has played a pivotal role in American politics by fostering fear in citizens regarding issues such as gender, ethnicity, race, and religion—and proclaims the reason fear is heightened in citizens has more to do with the style in which panic is spread than any
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One of the most compelling pieces of anecdotal evidence Hofstadter utilizes in his essay revolves around the concept of McCarthyism. Through the examination of Senator Joseph McCarthy, Hofstadter emphasizes how politicians release fear into vulnerable populations in order to gain attention and power. In the case of Senator McCarthy, the widespread panic of communist ideologies emerged first through the United States icey relationships with the Soviet Union, but became an outspread pandemic when McCarthy fed off the already heightened fears of American citizens and utilized fear as a source of power. In order to prove his point that suspicion and paranoia create an issue in regards to progress, Hofstadter quotes McCarthy’s statement “This must be a product of great conspiracy on a scale so immense as to dwarf any previous such venture in the history of man” (Hofstadter 77). The usage of this quote allows for Hofstadter to prove that McCarthy instilled fear in his followers through phrases similar to this one to escalate their fears to the point that they would look to him as a leader against the “great conspiracy” he speaks of. Through fascinating pieces of anecdotal evidence, such as this one, Hofstadter further proves the continuous prevalence of paranoia …show more content…
Each early heading in this essay represents another example of paranoia in American politics, the role it played during the time of panic, and the outcoming, negative effect it had on improving the country. Yet, as the essay moves forward, these headings shift to explain the root cause of paranoia upon people, why they feel compelled to feed into paranoia, and why individuals do not realize they are being impacted by the influence of others. By organizing the essay in this order, Hofstadter’s argument becomes much more believable and urgent. Additionally, by concluding his essay with the concept that paranoia dominates not only American politics, but also global politics, Hofstadter establishes the true problem with paranoia. Referring to a man impacted by paranoid thoughts, Hofstadter states “circumstances often deprive him of exposure to events that might enlighten him-- and in any case he resists enlightenment” to demonstrate how paranoids resist the desire to become enlightened by new information; that they are stuck believing one single creed (Hofstadter
One of the most compelling pieces of anecdotal evidence Hofstadter utilizes in his essay revolves around the concept of McCarthyism. Through the examination of Senator Joseph McCarthy, Hofstadter emphasizes how politicians release fear into vulnerable populations in order to gain attention and power. In the case of Senator McCarthy, the widespread panic of communist ideologies emerged first through the United States icey relationships with the Soviet Union, but became an outspread pandemic when McCarthy fed off the already heightened fears of American citizens and utilized fear as a source of power. In order to prove his point that suspicion and paranoia create an issue in regards to progress, Hofstadter quotes McCarthy’s statement “This must be a product of great conspiracy on a scale so immense as to dwarf any previous such venture in the history of man” (Hofstadter 77). The usage of this quote allows for Hofstadter to prove that McCarthy instilled fear in his followers through phrases similar to this one to escalate their fears to the point that they would look to him as a leader against the “great conspiracy” he speaks of. Through fascinating pieces of anecdotal evidence, such as this one, Hofstadter further proves the continuous prevalence of paranoia …show more content…
Each early heading in this essay represents another example of paranoia in American politics, the role it played during the time of panic, and the outcoming, negative effect it had on improving the country. Yet, as the essay moves forward, these headings shift to explain the root cause of paranoia upon people, why they feel compelled to feed into paranoia, and why individuals do not realize they are being impacted by the influence of others. By organizing the essay in this order, Hofstadter’s argument becomes much more believable and urgent. Additionally, by concluding his essay with the concept that paranoia dominates not only American politics, but also global politics, Hofstadter establishes the true problem with paranoia. Referring to a man impacted by paranoid thoughts, Hofstadter states “circumstances often deprive him of exposure to events that might enlighten him-- and in any case he resists enlightenment” to demonstrate how paranoids resist the desire to become enlightened by new information; that they are stuck believing one single creed (Hofstadter