Drew Arensdorf
Binney
American Lit
September 2016
The Hysteria of the Iraq War for Oil
The worldwide hysteria of the false Iraq War for oil has caused widespread political and social change and will continue to affect American politics for years to come. The Iraq War (2003-2011 and 2014-present) - already a controversial subject- was made even more debatable when oil conspiracy theories were started by the media who used delusive information to mislead the public. Subsequently, news ratings hit the jackpot after this hysteria came about. This mass hysteria, driven by media bias and emotional politics, has contributed to populism the widening gap between Democrats and Republicans and may continue to do so for many years to come.
The hysteria …show more content…
Both of these hysterias caused significant political and societal change. For instance “As the Red Scare intensified, its political climate turned increasingly conservative. Elected officials from both major parties sought to portray themselves as staunch anticommunists, and few people dared to criticize the questionable tactics used to persecute suspected radicals” (History.com). In contrast, the suspected “war for oil” caused isolationism to make a comeback. “Americans appear to be less interested in U.S. foreign engagement that at any other time over the last half-century, judging by a Pew poll that has been measuring U.S. public opinion since 1964. The poll found an all-time low in public support for an active U.S. foreign policy, as well as a growing desire to focus away from the world stage” (Washington …show more content…
Similar to the Red Scare, this hysteria was and still is a factor in American politics. It has contributed to the polarization between Democrats and Republicans, and tribalist dispositions among voters. Studies also show that this hysteria may have been a factor in rising isolationist views among Americans and this supposed war for oil sparked mass protest and discourse around the world. In conclusion, the political aftermath of this hysteria has drastically changed American politics and the only solution may be a change in the current school
Binney
American Lit
September 2016
The Hysteria of the Iraq War for Oil
The worldwide hysteria of the false Iraq War for oil has caused widespread political and social change and will continue to affect American politics for years to come. The Iraq War (2003-2011 and 2014-present) - already a controversial subject- was made even more debatable when oil conspiracy theories were started by the media who used delusive information to mislead the public. Subsequently, news ratings hit the jackpot after this hysteria came about. This mass hysteria, driven by media bias and emotional politics, has contributed to populism the widening gap between Democrats and Republicans and may continue to do so for many years to come.
The hysteria …show more content…
Both of these hysterias caused significant political and societal change. For instance “As the Red Scare intensified, its political climate turned increasingly conservative. Elected officials from both major parties sought to portray themselves as staunch anticommunists, and few people dared to criticize the questionable tactics used to persecute suspected radicals” (History.com). In contrast, the suspected “war for oil” caused isolationism to make a comeback. “Americans appear to be less interested in U.S. foreign engagement that at any other time over the last half-century, judging by a Pew poll that has been measuring U.S. public opinion since 1964. The poll found an all-time low in public support for an active U.S. foreign policy, as well as a growing desire to focus away from the world stage” (Washington …show more content…
Similar to the Red Scare, this hysteria was and still is a factor in American politics. It has contributed to the polarization between Democrats and Republicans, and tribalist dispositions among voters. Studies also show that this hysteria may have been a factor in rising isolationist views among Americans and this supposed war for oil sparked mass protest and discourse around the world. In conclusion, the political aftermath of this hysteria has drastically changed American politics and the only solution may be a change in the current school