First published 2024
Contemporary political debates about cancel culture, identity politics, and antisemitism mask deeper psychological forces at work in American society. Robert Samuels applies psychoanalytic theory to decode the rhetoric of conservatives, liberals, and centrists, revealing the unconscious defense mechanisms and hidden desires that fuel our polarized discourse. He examines how different ideological camps have turned free speech into a weapon, with universities caught in the crossfire as they try to balance competing social demands. Through case studies of specific writers and politicians, Samuels demonstrates that without understanding the psychological roots of our political investments, we cannot address the underlying causes of cultural division. The book offers readers both a clearer picture of what universities should become and a path toward moving beyond our current political polarization.
Genres: psychology, political-science, social-issues, non-fiction, academic, cultural-studies
Vibes: academic, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-setting, social-commentary
179 pages · Hardcover · Palgrave Macmillan