Old Stories, New Actors
Neofascist France, what Joan Didion thought about feminism, the problem with the “greatest generation,” and more
January 27, 2022
American Myths
“The shadow of eternal American goodness cast by the ‘last good war’ has not only had noxious military effects, justifying our actions around the world in the 75 years since World War II. The cult of the greatest generation and its heroic fight has obscured important tranches of American history, and in no small measure contributed to the current sorry state of American politics.” Mitch Abidor unpacks the “quintessentially American myth” of citizen soldiers in his review of Elizabeth D. Samet’s latest book. (January 26, 2022)
Claire Potter discusses the legacy of Joan Didion and whether the late writer has a place in a feminist canon. “Feminists made revolutions. Didion watched revolutions, distilled them, and laid them bare.” (January 26, 2022)
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Political Animals
“Although DSA members are enthusiastic campaign volunteers and even candidates, DSA regards the Democratic Party with suspicion. Notably, of course, their most prominent successes—the Squad—have all run as Democrats.” Max B. Sawicky examines the changing status of socialism in the United States. (January 26, 2022)
Éric Fassin charts the meteoric rise of Éric Zemmour in the French presidential race—and how the country’s government parties and far-right racism have moved toward each other. “This conjunction,” Fassin writes, “has opened a political space for ‘re-demonization,’ with the return of old-fashioned fascist themes in neofascist garb, including explicit antisemitism, though with a twist: Zemmour himself happens to be Jewish.” (January 26, 2022)
And the Past Present podcast team review President Biden’s first year in office. (January 25, 2022)