Conspiracy Theory in America

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government
Cover of the book Conspiracy Theory in America by Lance deHaven-Smith, University of Texas Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Lance deHaven-Smith ISBN: 9780292749108
Publisher: University of Texas Press Publication: April 2, 2013
Imprint: University of Texas Press Language: English
Author: Lance deHaven-Smith
ISBN: 9780292749108
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Publication: April 2, 2013
Imprint: University of Texas Press
Language: English

Ever since the Warren Commission concluded that a lone gunman assassinated President John F. Kennedy, people who doubt that finding have been widely dismissed as conspiracy theorists, despite credible evidence that right-wing elements in the CIA, FBI, and Secret Service—and possibly even senior government officials—were also involved. Why has suspicion of criminal wrongdoing at the highest levels of government been rejected out-of-hand as paranoid thinking akin to superstition?Conspiracy Theory in America investigates how the Founders’ hard-nosed realism about the likelihood of elite political misconduct—articulated in the Declaration of Independence—has been replaced by today’s blanket condemnation of conspiracy beliefs as ludicrous by definition. Lance deHaven-Smith reveals that the term “conspiracy theory” entered the American lexicon of political speech to deflect criticism of the Warren Commission and traces it back to a CIA propaganda campaign to discredit doubters of the commission’s report. He asks tough questions and connects the dots among five decades’ worth of suspicious events, including the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy, the attempted assassinations of George Wallace and Ronald Reagan, the crimes of Watergate, the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages deal, the disputed presidential elections of 2000 and 2004, the major defense failure of 9/11, and the subsequent anthrax letter attacks.Sure to spark intense debate about the truthfulness and trustworthiness of our government, Conspiracy Theory in America offers a powerful reminder that a suspicious, even radically suspicious, attitude toward government is crucial to maintaining our democracy.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Ever since the Warren Commission concluded that a lone gunman assassinated President John F. Kennedy, people who doubt that finding have been widely dismissed as conspiracy theorists, despite credible evidence that right-wing elements in the CIA, FBI, and Secret Service—and possibly even senior government officials—were also involved. Why has suspicion of criminal wrongdoing at the highest levels of government been rejected out-of-hand as paranoid thinking akin to superstition?Conspiracy Theory in America investigates how the Founders’ hard-nosed realism about the likelihood of elite political misconduct—articulated in the Declaration of Independence—has been replaced by today’s blanket condemnation of conspiracy beliefs as ludicrous by definition. Lance deHaven-Smith reveals that the term “conspiracy theory” entered the American lexicon of political speech to deflect criticism of the Warren Commission and traces it back to a CIA propaganda campaign to discredit doubters of the commission’s report. He asks tough questions and connects the dots among five decades’ worth of suspicious events, including the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy, the attempted assassinations of George Wallace and Ronald Reagan, the crimes of Watergate, the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages deal, the disputed presidential elections of 2000 and 2004, the major defense failure of 9/11, and the subsequent anthrax letter attacks.Sure to spark intense debate about the truthfulness and trustworthiness of our government, Conspiracy Theory in America offers a powerful reminder that a suspicious, even radically suspicious, attitude toward government is crucial to maintaining our democracy.

More books from University of Texas Press

Cover of the book The Political Evolution of the Mexican People by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book The Astonishment of Words by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book William Faulkner by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book Race on the QT by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book Modernity and the Architecture of Mexico by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book Barbarous Mexico by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book Remembering the Hacienda by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book The Last Jews in Baghdad by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book The Lowland Maya Postclassic by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book Ireland and the Classical World by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book Handbook of Middle American Indians, Volume 16 by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book Mother Earth and Uncle Sam by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book Texas Furniture, Volume One by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book Poetics of Change by Lance deHaven-Smith
Cover of the book When the Center Is on Fire by Lance deHaven-Smith
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy