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The Myth of Left and Right

How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America (Studies in Postwar American Political Series)

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The Myth of Left and Right

By: Hyrum Lewis, Verlan Lewis
Narrated by: Hyrum Lewis
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About this listen

A groundbreaking argument that the political spectrum today is inadequate to twenty-first-century America and a major source of the confusion and hostility that characterize contemporary political discourse.

As American politics descends into a battle of anger and hostility between two groups called "left" and "right," people increasingly ask: What is the essential difference between these two ideological groups? In The Myth of Left and Right, Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis provide the surprising answer: nothing. As the authors argue, there is no enduring philosophy, disposition, or essence uniting the various positions associated with the liberal and conservative ideologies of today. Far from being an eternal dividing line of American politics, the political spectrum came to the United States in the 1920s and, since then, left and right have evolved in so many unpredictable and even contradictory ways that there is currently nothing other than tribal loyalty holding together the many disparate positions that fly under the banners of "liberal" and "conservative." Cutting against the grain of most scholarship on polarization in America, this book shows why the idea that the political spectrum measures deeply held worldviews is the central political myth of our time and a major cause of the confusion and vitriol that characterize public discourse.

©2023 Oxford University Press (P)2023 Kalorama
Politics & Government United States World

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A thorough dissection of our current predicament

Firstly, the first reviewer competely missed the point and should listen back to various parts of the book again. Beyond that though, this book, although relatively short, is very hard to argue with. The authors make a great case for dismantling common counterpoints, and show them to be shallow, inaccurate defences of my team vs yours. I think this is a timely book, and even if you find yourself not liking what they say, I encourage you to take it to heart as it may help balance out old, worn, and cherished beliefs. Personally, I found this book a relief as it articulated my way of thinking with a clarity I do not have. I even learned a bit of history which I am keen to forget research. I do so hope this book finds the people out could help.

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Disappointed, misleading title

I agree we need more sophisticated and critical thinking. However, the author assumes the "left" is what the Democrat party leaders in the EEUU say or do. Which is absurd.

The author evaluates a number of ideas where both political parties change opinion, taxes, immigration, etc. However, he ignores the obvious and fundamental issue of concentración of power by the upper classes.

Been "Left Wing" is to improve the life of the disadvantaged, and "Right Wing" to improve the life of the privileged and powerful. There you don't see any parties changing their minds.

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