The triumph of the Right in 1980 was a consequence of several factors: the excesses of the student anti-war and black power movements; the nation’s humiliating defeat in Vietnam; anxiety and confusion provoked by the first signs of the sustained structural crisis of the world-system and the accompanying U.S.
fascinating to revisit this somewhat forgotten chapter in US history. It will be interesting to read the story as it develops - especially the comparison between JJ, who had the potential to be a truly transformational leader but was unable, in the end, to rally public support, and later BB, who I believe did rally public support for transformational change but had no intention at all to carry it out (more flash than substance).
Thanks, Andrej. During Obama’s first presidential campaign, I observed that he did not put forth a series of specific reform proposals, as Jesse had. He merely put forth “change,” without specifics. It seems to me that if a political leader is going to change things, he or she has to give an indication this, calling for the support of the people in overcoming the inevitable resistance. But there was no sign of this in Obama’s case. So I did not expect much, even though many progressives were hopeful for substantial change.
However, I was struck by Obama’s chapter on Indonesia in his book, The Audacity of Hope. In this chapter, he draws upon his experiences as a boy in Indonesia to draw insightful conclusions with respect to U.S. imperialism and the Third World. Curiously, the chapter is compartmentalized from the rest of the book, and apparently, his experience in Indonesia is compartmentalized from the rest of his life. I have never been sure if one day he might experience an eruption of Indonesian consciousness, but so far, that hasn’t happened.
fascinating to revisit this somewhat forgotten chapter in US history. It will be interesting to read the story as it develops - especially the comparison between JJ, who had the potential to be a truly transformational leader but was unable, in the end, to rally public support, and later BB, who I believe did rally public support for transformational change but had no intention at all to carry it out (more flash than substance).
Thanks, Andrej. During Obama’s first presidential campaign, I observed that he did not put forth a series of specific reform proposals, as Jesse had. He merely put forth “change,” without specifics. It seems to me that if a political leader is going to change things, he or she has to give an indication this, calling for the support of the people in overcoming the inevitable resistance. But there was no sign of this in Obama’s case. So I did not expect much, even though many progressives were hopeful for substantial change.
However, I was struck by Obama’s chapter on Indonesia in his book, The Audacity of Hope. In this chapter, he draws upon his experiences as a boy in Indonesia to draw insightful conclusions with respect to U.S. imperialism and the Third World. Curiously, the chapter is compartmentalized from the rest of the book, and apparently, his experience in Indonesia is compartmentalized from the rest of his life. I have never been sure if one day he might experience an eruption of Indonesian consciousness, but so far, that hasn’t happened.
In the middle of golfing at some exclusive Hawaiian resort?? -- I wouldn't hold my breath Charles,LOL