Liars! Cheaters! Evildoers!: Demonization and the End of Civil Debate in American Politics

Demonization and the End of Civil Debate in American Politics [Tom De Luca, John Liars! Cheaters! Evildoers! and millions of other books are available for.
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But that's old news. Anybody who's been paying attention in the years since Bush became president knows that he and his circle are determined to turn the United States into a fundamentalist theocracy, and are succeeding at a terrifying rate. In a televised speech, co-author Tom De Luca noted: But the opposition the spineless and cowering Democrats lacks the courage to do anything with the edivence.

Liars! Cheaters! Evildoers!

This book rewards close reading but be warned-- you're going to have to work to get the message! Ever since Election Day of last year, I've been reluctant to pick up a political book. Walking through the bookstore, glancing at all the antiquated and soon-to-be-discarded anti-Bush titles, titles prophesizing the future triumph of the left, even seeing the occasional Kerry-Edwards bumper sticker reminded me of more hopeful times, hopes that the election had dashed.

However, I did recently pick up and read, from cover to cover, a book on politics. It traces the history of demonization in American politics, uncovering and outlining the social structures that allow for demonization of a moral and personal nature to occur.

It also looks at several groups that have been targeted for demonization: And it examines the rhetoric of demonization in the war on terror, the Clinton Impeachment, and the elections.

The authors, in concluding the book, suggest how we can overcome this and live in a world that is freer of demonization. Deep, insightful, and informative, this book is a must-read for anyone mildly interested in politics. The scope of their work is breathtaking as they trace the trajectory of "political demonology" in America from its infancy as a clash between puritan conservatism and hedonistic liberalism, to its contemporary manifestation in the virulent culture wars of recent decades as "culture warriors" on both sides of the political divide disparage and demonize their foes.

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Delving deeper, De Luca and Buell uncover a "moral paradox" inherent in our national character that appears to fuel our need to transform political opponents into enemies. The authors contend that our political culture has now reached a zero-sum impasse engendered by the approximate parity of the two political parties as each seeks victory through mobilizing their core constituencies by exploiting wedge issues and engaging in character-driven politics.

Liberals, conservatives, and moderates have all been guilty of this, while those victimized and demonized are very often the most vulnerable among us.


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De Luca and Buell offer a thoughtful antidote to the polarized partisanship that has seized hold of us. Their goal, a "more generous democratic politics" forged out of a new political covenant based upon true equity and opportunity, is a noble one. This well-crafted and insightful book should be read by everyone who feels strongly that our political discourse must match our best ideals.

Professor Tom De Luca interviewed on Brazilian news network (in Portuguese)

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Demonization and the End of Civil Debate in… read more. In the book he argues that civil debate on policy has been replaced by attacks on the personal character of politicians. He read passages from the book and talked about the demonization that has occurred throughout American political history. He defined demonization not as tough politics, but as repeatedly and without consideration of the consequences accusing someone of being abnormal as in immoral, evil or deviant. De Luca talked about the factors that lead toward demonization in American society.

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He proposed that a conscious effort be made to resist these temptations and to maintain the democratic covenant of understanding and tolerance that would enable real progress. He responded to questions from members of the audience. Journalists discussed the presidential election and the media, asking whether the media were participants in the elections or….

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Title Page, Copyright, Dedication pp. Holy War by Other Means pp. The Politics of Moral Personae pp. The Deep Divide and the Most Vulnerable pp.