Barack Obama and the Future of American Politics

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology, Political Science
Cover of the book Barack Obama and the Future of American Politics by Paul Street, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Paul Street ISBN: 9781317263395
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: December 22, 2015
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Paul Street
ISBN: 9781317263395
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: December 22, 2015
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Many Americans believe Barak Obama represents a hopeful future for America. But does he also reflect the American politics of the past? This book offers the broadest and best-informed understanding on the meaning of the "Obama phenomenon" to date. Paul Street was on the ground throughout the Iowa campaign, and his stories of the rising Obama phenomenon are poignant. Yet the author's background in American political history allows him to explore the deeper meanings of Obama's remarkable political career. He looks at Obama in relation to contemporary issues of class, race, war, and empire. He considers Obama in the context of our nation's political history, with comparisons to FDR, JFK, Bill Clinton, and other leaders. Street finds that the Obama persona, crafted by campaign consultants and filtered through dominant media trends, masks the "change" candidate's adherence to long-prevailing power structures and party doctrines. He shows how American political culture has produced misperceptions by the electorate of Obama's positions and values. Obama is no magical exception to the narrow-spectrum electoral system and ideological culture that have done so much to define and limit the American political tradition. Yet the author suggests key ways in which Obama potentially advances democratic transformation. Street makes recommendations on how citizens can productively respond to and act upon Obama's influence and the broader historical and social forces that have produced his celebrity and relevance. He also lays out a real agenda for change for the new presidential administration, one that addresses the recent failures of democratic politics.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Many Americans believe Barak Obama represents a hopeful future for America. But does he also reflect the American politics of the past? This book offers the broadest and best-informed understanding on the meaning of the "Obama phenomenon" to date. Paul Street was on the ground throughout the Iowa campaign, and his stories of the rising Obama phenomenon are poignant. Yet the author's background in American political history allows him to explore the deeper meanings of Obama's remarkable political career. He looks at Obama in relation to contemporary issues of class, race, war, and empire. He considers Obama in the context of our nation's political history, with comparisons to FDR, JFK, Bill Clinton, and other leaders. Street finds that the Obama persona, crafted by campaign consultants and filtered through dominant media trends, masks the "change" candidate's adherence to long-prevailing power structures and party doctrines. He shows how American political culture has produced misperceptions by the electorate of Obama's positions and values. Obama is no magical exception to the narrow-spectrum electoral system and ideological culture that have done so much to define and limit the American political tradition. Yet the author suggests key ways in which Obama potentially advances democratic transformation. Street makes recommendations on how citizens can productively respond to and act upon Obama's influence and the broader historical and social forces that have produced his celebrity and relevance. He also lays out a real agenda for change for the new presidential administration, one that addresses the recent failures of democratic politics.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Florentine Villa by Paul Street
Cover of the book The Mechanical Muse: The Piano, Pianism and Piano Music, c.1760-1850 by Paul Street
Cover of the book Teaching Problem-Solving and Thinking Skills through Science by Paul Street
Cover of the book Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis by Paul Street
Cover of the book Globalization and Development Volume III by Paul Street
Cover of the book Gender Dynamics, Feminist Activism and Social Transformation in China by Paul Street
Cover of the book Thinking About Schools by Paul Street
Cover of the book The Role of the Outdoors in Residential Environments for Aging by Paul Street
Cover of the book Beyond Benefit Cost Analysis by Paul Street
Cover of the book The Earth Brokers by Paul Street
Cover of the book An Introduction to Sustainability by Paul Street
Cover of the book All or Nothing by Paul Street
Cover of the book Conscience Economy by Paul Street
Cover of the book Crime and Local Television News by Paul Street
Cover of the book State and Nation-Building in Pakistan by Paul Street
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy