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Right-Wing Populism in America:
Too Close for Comfort
by Chip Berlet and Matthew N. Lyons
New York: Guilford Publications, 2000
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Critical Praise for Right-Wing Populism in America
"This book shines brilliant light on right-wing populist movements
that have undermined democracy throughout United States history-- and
are still influencing politics and policies today. The book shows how
populist rhetoric has been used by far right and mainstream politicians
alike to
divide people with scapegoating and deflect them from achieving greater
social and economic equity."
Holly Sklar, author of Chaos or Community? Seeking Solutions,
Not Scapegoats for Bad Economics.
"This long-awaited history and critical analysis has arrived right on time.
The increased presence of the Right in this country has confused many people
with its varied shapes and forms. This book gives the context needed for students
and monitors of the Right to understand why these anti-democratic forces
continue to thrive in our society."
Suzanne Pharr, author of In the Time of the Right: Reflections
on Liberation, and Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism.
"Chip Berlet has been a valuable resource for many years to everyone concerned
about the potentially dangerous right-wing ideological strains that operate
in this country. His work with Political Research Associates has been a most
important source of data and analysis. Now he and Matthew Lyons have made yet
a different major contribution. Right Wing Populism in America builds on their
years of expertise to provide a sweeping historical account of the tradition
of such tendencies in American politics-- from Bacon's Rebellion in
the 17th century to the present.
This is an important analysis for anyone-- among scholars and nonspecialists
alike-- who wishes to understand the complex, sometimes ugly forces that
have participated in shaping the American political landscape; it is a good
companion to Rogers M. Smith's Civic Ideals as a careful treatment of the
powerful anti-egalitarian tendencies that have always contended
to define the American political mainstream."
Adolph Reed, Jr., author of Class Notes: Posing as Politics
and Other Thoughts on the American Scene.
"Berlet and Lyons' Right-Wing Populism in America makes a significant stride
toward a greater understanding of right-wing social movements in the United
States. This ground breaking book provides an analytical socio-political
history of the entire right-wing incorporating a holistic view which avoids
the pitfalls of standard overly simplified theories which psychologize ‘extremists’ and
separate right-wing organizations into mainstream and marginal or far-right
groups.
Berlet and Lyons have examined shades of right-wing populism across
U.S. history noting a wide array of ideologies which lead to both convergence
and contradiction on the American political landscape. They make timely and
compelling arguments that lead us to re-evaluate our definitions of
these social movements and call for a re-examination of our currently
ineffective social policies which are aimed at containing right-wing
groups. Right-Wing Populism is an accessible and engaging book
which is appropriate for use in college undergraduate and graduate
classes as well
as useful for a more general readership."
Stephanie Shanks-Meile, co-author of "White
Power, White Pride!" The White Separatist Movement in the United States.
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