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Paranoid 'Pseudocons' Hijacking Right

Logic-defying conspiracy theories jump from the fringe to the mainstream

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2009 4:47 AM CDT

(Newser) – The paranoid fringe of the American right has become mainstream to an extent unthinkable even when the John Birch Society was at its peak, writes Thomas Frank. Historian Richard Hofstadter's landmark 1965 The Paranoid Style in American Politics seems more relevant than ever, Frank writes in the Wall Street Journal. The difference now is that the conspiracy theorists aren't handing out flyers on street corners any more—they're on Fox News ranting about birth certificates and creeping Communism, he notes.

The paranoid mindset that sinister forces are pushing America toward Communism has stayed remarkably unchanged through the decades, Frank writes, despite the demise of the Soviet Union removing any remnants of a rational basis for it. Hofstadter called the fringe "pseudo-conservatives" because they didn't embrace conservatism's "temperate and compromising spirit," Frank notes. "It's a pity Hofstadter isn't here to see the fakes eclipse the real thing."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

A demonstrator questions the citizenship of President Obama at a tea party protest in Santa Monica, Calif. (Getty Images)

A tax protester holds a picture of President Barack Obama during an Atlanta Tea Party tax protest in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Conspiracy-mindedness isn't just for fringe political groups anymore; it makes for riveting entertainment. And it is all around us today, a disorder with an entire industry to act as its enabler. - Thomas Frank

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 28 comments

kokuaguy

Oct 22, 2009 6:55 AM CDT

Aelius28- your posts are impressive in their passion and persuasiveness and cogency. Keep them coming, and don't let the critical opinions or insults of others inhibit you in any way.

Face-Of-RNC

Oct 22, 2009 5:56 AM CDT

Just kidding Ernie, but really, I can't accept a position that does not distinguish between those who are lucky, or smart, and rich, and those who are not. The right explains that those who are not rich just don't work hard enough. They never admit that their own riches have come one dollar at a time from working people and poor people. I see a great divide in America, getting greater every generation. The suffering of poor people and the degredation of our middle class occurs as a result of the abuse of economic and political power. If it means I have to be pro-governemnt to help change that, then so be it. I guarantee you I would be working for the right-wing if unions and poor people were choking the life out of the them.

Face-Of-RNC

Oct 22, 2009 5:38 AM CDT

Sez you.

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Politics • US

conservative • Fox News • John Birch Society • Glenn Beck • conspiracy theory • birther

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Paranoid 'Pseudocons' Hijacking Right