Modern Jeremiahs: Contemporary Visions of American DeclineOne of the most enduring themes in American political discourse is the idea of decline. Since the very beginnings of the European settlement of North America there have been voices pointing to an inevitable regression of the people from the standards set by heroic ancestors. This discourse of decay has often taken the form of the jeremiad in which public intellectuals, pundits, and politicians point to the causes of decline and call for a return to older and nobler standards of conduct. The Jeremiad has seen a revival in the last 25 years. Jendrysik traces the history of this form of political discourse from its modern reinvention by Allan Bloom to its current uses by such figures as Bill O'Reilly and Hillary Clinton. |
Contents
The Styles of the American Jeremiah | 17 |
Founding Father of the Modern Jeremiad | 37 |
Culture Warriors vs the Boomers and Bill Clinton | 57 |
Copyright | |
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Modern Jeremiahs: Contemporary Visions of American Decline Mark Stephen Jendrysik Limited preview - 2008 |
Modern Jeremiahs: Contemporary Visions of American Decline Mark Stephen Jendrysik Limited preview - 2008 |
Common terms and phrases
academic actions Allan Bloom Amer American decline American Jeremiad American Mind American political attack audience become believe Bill Clinton Bill O'Reilly blame Boomers Bork's chapter citizens claims Closing conservative corruption created crisis critique Culture Warrior dangerous Death of Outrage decadence defend demands democracy Dude elites enemies Evildoers face failed failure Falwell fear forces Hellfire Nation Hillary Rodham Clinton Huntington ideas immigrants liberal Living History Mexican Mexifornia Michael Moore modern Americans modern jeremiad moral national decline nativist Jeremiahs notes O'Reilly Factor O'Reilly's past Patrick Buchanan populist problems provides Puritan Quoted readers reject relativism religious Republic responsible rhetoric right-wing says September 11 Slouching Towards Gomorrah social society Spin Zone Stupid White Stupid White Men style suggests Takes a Village Terrorism tion tional tradition true truth University Press values Victor Davis Hanson Vidal virtue Where's My Country Who's Looking William Bennett