|
 |
|
Everybody Knows Cynicism in America William Chaloupka |
|
$67.50 Cloth/jacket |
A witty take on what's wrong—and right—with cynicism today. There has never been a more cynical era in American history. Disaffection from government institutions is at an all-time high. Ordinary citizens perceive political leaders to be more manipulative and jaded than ever. In Everybody Knows, William Chaloupka scrutinizes the cynicism that is our common condition, examining both its uses in the politics of backlash and resentment and its surprisingly positive aspects. Everybody Knows traces cynicism from its classical origins but emphasizes its recent emergence in American culture and politics, following a trajectory from H. L. Mencken to Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton. Cutting neatly across ideological divisions, Chaloupka discusses the ways in which cynicism is rooted in all democratic politics, and analyzes the role of the media--in particular, television news, political ads and speeches, and books such as E. J. Dionne's Why Americans Hate Politics and William Bennett's The Book of Virtues—in dissecting and encouraging cynicism. Chaloupka describes mass cynicism, which permeates popular culture; outsider cynicism, which is capable of cranky, even violent disruption; and the cynicism of those in power. He argues that those who issue broad pleas for civility or a renewal of community spirit usually misunderstand the cynicism they wish to treat. He also discusses the value of a cheeky, subversive "kynicism" to evoke the lively democratic practice American society must foster. "A provocative study of political cynicism and pessimism." —New York Review of Books "What can be done about cynicism in American society, particularly in our political culture? Chaloupka advances smart solutions, including campaign finance reform and more pointedly intelligent criticism of the news media. He concludes Everybody Knows with the suggestion that the overarching solution to cynicism is 'lively, contentious, serious, honest, smart public struggle over issues that matter'—in short, more, but better, politics." —San Francisco Chronicle "In Everybody Knows, University of Montana political scientist William Chaloupka argues that cynicism rules American politics and culture. In response to the cynicism of the elites and their self-serving calls for more 'civility' in public life, Chaloupka champions a tradition of 'activist cynics.'" —Lingua Franca What is noteworthy about Everybody Knows is Dr. Chaloupka's argument that Americans could actually use more irony, certainly a better sense of how irony works, how words can have different meanings than the obvious ones. He admires the 'operatives.' those people who are clearly cynical, who employ irony, yet aren't emotional cripples. They get their jobs done." —Dallas Morning News “Chaloupka, in his careful scrutiny of the cynicism that he sees as normatively American, examines its uses both in the politics of resentment and in its more indubitable aspects. Cynicism is a superior tool for instrumenting social change, which Chaloupka believes can and should be wielded with greater discretion by those producing our cultural goods.” —New Art Examiner "For the believers in various shining futures, this book will help you to understand those who don’t believe." —Future Survey "A very timely book. In addition to probing and disentangling the meanings of cynicism, the author has explored some of its roots in American political philosophy. The points that Chaloupka makes are thought-provoking. Chaloupka's text is instructive and well worth reading." —Canadian Public Administration William Chaloupka is professor of political science and environmental studies at the University of Montana. His books include Knowing Nukes (1992) and co-author of In the Nature of Things (1993). 256 pages | 5 7/8 x 9 | cloth: 1999, paper: 2001 |
||
$25.00 Paper