Hi Reddit, I'm Rob Goodman. I worked as a speechwriter in the US House and Senate (for Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Sen. Chris Dodd) for 5 years. Then I left to get a PhD in political theory. These days I'm a professor at Ryerson University in Toronto, specializing in rhetoric.
After another 5 years of research, I've just finished a book about the history of rhetoric from ancient Rome to the present day. It's called Words on Fire: Eloquence and Its Conditions.
I draw on my experience as a speechwriter and my research as a theorist to explain:
-Why so many people think political rhetoric is broken these days
-Why I wish politicians would take more risks
-Why polarization is bad but not your fault
-What the ancients like Demosthenes and Cicero knew about rhetoric that we've forgotten
-Why the American founders were allergic to great oratory
-And how arguments over the meaning of eloquence have shaped our world
Proof: Here's my proof!
UPDATE: Thanks so much for the questions, everyone! I have to run, but I'll try to come back and answer more later.
In what I am sure will prove not at all controversial, I have attempted to make sense of politics in the 6th world. Please share any criticisms or praise.
Within the document you will find Poli-blocks (groups of poli-clubs organized by ideology), Militia, and Mercenaries.
It’s not clear to me what he’s doing; what’s your theory behind the bedlam? The whole base supports extending the payment freeze. In fact, many support wiping them out completely. We all know our cute little Congress won’t come through for us with a legislative saving-grace, thanks red America!
So what does Biden et al. have to gain with the gamesmanship? Why insist the intention is to resume payments come February? So they said it’s the “final” extension - so what? Politicians flip flop every single day, sometimes by the minute.
Is there something I’m missing? Is it a hero complex? Does he want to swoop in at the last minute and be our Mother Theresa? Not extending this is going to alienate the entire base. There’s no more support he can afford to shed. Please enlighten me.
Title pretty much says it all. What does “subjective value theory” mean to you? How does it relate to other theories of value such as the Classical theories of Smith/Ricardo/Marx? Do you think it undergirds contemporary economic theory and, if so, how? If not, how does it go beyond contemporary theory?
I think I read something discussing this for school years ago, but I can't for the life of me remember the name of this concept (if it even has one), who wrote about it, or really anything else surrounding it.
It's basically the idea that if something destabilizes the status quo, the status quo can't stay destabilized for long. Either it snaps back to the way it was before, or a new status quo is formed.
Does anyone have any idea what I'm talking about, or who wrote something discussing this idea?
When I watch older media that depict conspiracy theories, the theories referenced are usually quite broad and borderline fantastical, i.e. flat earth, hollow earth, chemtrails, lizard people, and various iterations of doomsday preachers and cult leaders.
It feels like conspiracy theories have taken an explicitly political turn over the last 2-3 decades, and have focused much more extensively on specific individuals rather than nebulous groups. Instead of 'The Government' hiding evidence of UFOs or the Freemasons trying to take over the world or something, we have borderline mainstream conspiracy theories that are specifically against the democratic party establishment (Clintons, Obama) and wealthy/influential liberals like George Soros and Bill Gates. This shift is probably best exemplified today by Qanon, but from what I can tell it goes back to the Clinton administration.
A Guardian article states that "Since the early 1990's, suspicions that the Clintons were running a drug cartel and/or having their enemies murdered were a persistent part of the discourse on the right".
This is corroborated in part by the media at the time; there's a (supposedly influential) 1994 documentary called the Clinton Chronicles, which alleges that Bill and Hillary Clinton participated in crimes like money laundering and drug trafficking, as well as the supposed murder of Vince Foster, whose death was ruled a suicide under multiple reviews.
The Guardian article doesn't seem to explain how or why this discourse emerged at this particular time and in this particular manner, which is bizarre to me because it feels quite distinct. I'm curious about whether there's a historical explanation for this.
For educational purposes. Can be modern or 19th-20th century era. Open to all countries of origin. I enjoyed Marx, Kropotkin, etc.
I don’t care if it’s deemed outdated or “incorrect” political theory, I just like reading about it in general.
Thank you!
As the title stated I'm looking to learn more political theory on the side and I was wondering if there were any books people recommended. These books can range from pure theory on the entire political landscape or more specific dives into the effects of certain political structures, as well as anything you think really.
Let me know your thoughts, I really appreciate it!
I'm looking to expand my horizons in this realm. I know my own political/economic leanings, but I'd like to investigate a variety of systems and beliefs to have a deeper understanding in general.
What are your favorite or go-to books on these topics? No leaning or system is off the table. Thanks in advance!
I was watching some Murray Bookchin videos and he made a really good point when asked what newcomers to politics can do to get involved. He suggested forming study groups in order to learn together about the power structures we deal with and how to subvert them.
I started reading stuff from www.theanarchistlibrary.org and my mind is being blown. But reading alone is not enough. Learning together creates community (like this amazing subreddit!) and community is the key to forming movements.
Just wanted to throw that out there cause I'm freshly inspired and I see a lot of potential politics nerds here.
Y'all rock.
Reposting this as I still need more participants. Originally posted a few days ago.
I’m recruiting participants to complete my MSc thesis study. I'm happy to complete studies in return.
I’m conducting a study into conspiracy theories, political beliefs and cognitive processing.
The study consists of 2 short surveys and 1 short task. It shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes to complete. All data is anonymous.
You are eligible to participate in this study if you are aged 18+ and have a good understanding of English.
Please follow this link to complete the study
This study has received full ethical approval from Northumbria University’s Department of Psychology Ethics Committee (Postgraduate Taught). Ethics reference number: 40832
Feel free to email me if you have any further questions: james.boughen@northumbria.ac.uk
Thanks,
James
