Unhinged Skepticism: The Paranoid Style in American Politics

Nearly 60 years ago, historian Richard Hofstadter published his classic essay, “The Paranoid Style in American Politics” in Harper's, in which he sketched out what he considered the salient features of this paranoid style. He remarked that “it is the use of heated exaggeration, suspiciousness, and conspiratorial fantasy in describing contemporary events.” This style of politics often involves attributing sinister motives to political opponents and seeing oneself as part of a persecuted minority fighting against a vast conspiracy.

Paranoid thrillers investigate the power structures at the heart of the American empire, tapping into the fears and anxieties of a society grappling with rapid change and uncertainty. These narratives often feature shadowy government agencies, secret societies, and malevolent forces manipulating events behind the scenes. In the end, an unhinged skeptic is unhinged, driven to extremes by their obsessive need to uncover the truth.

Against conspiracist trends, there is an obligation on defenders of a liberal society to uphold the integrity of its intellectual methods. This means valuing critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and a commitment to truth over sensationalism and fear-mongering. The Doppleganger author has smart, cutting insights into the conspiratorial delusions of Naomi Wolf and today's MAGA right, highlighting the dangers of unchecked paranoia in the political sphere.

He comments that many conservatives are embracing a 'paranoid style' of politics which sees a desire by international institutions for a global government and the erosion of national sovereignty. This mindset often leads to a rejection of evidence-based policy-making and a retreat into echo chambers of like-minded individuals who reinforce each other's beliefs.

The opaque nature of international politics exerts limits on the available evidence, yet this cannot mean abandoning the task of judging. It is essential to approach political claims with a healthy skepticism, weighing the evidence and considering alternative explanations before jumping to conclusions. Depending on who you listen to, hang out with, or read, a hit summer movie about saving kidnapped children is laced with QAnon references, blurring the lines between entertainment and conspiracy theory.