The Populist Persuasion - by Michael Kazin (Paperback)

About the Book

"In The Populist Persuasion, the distinguished historian Michael Kazin guides readers through the expressions of conflict between powerful elites and "the people" that have run through our civic life, filling it with discord and meaning from the birth of the United States until the present day. Kazin argues persuasively that the power of populism lies in its adaptable nature. Across the political spectrum, commentators paste the label on forces and individuals who really have just one big thing in common: they are effective at blasting "elites" or "the establishment" for harming the interests and betraying the ideals of "the people" in nations that are committed, at least officially, to democratic principles. Kazin's classic book has influenced debates over populism since its publication. The new preface to this edition brings the story up to date by charting the present resurgence of populist discourse, which was front and center in the 2016 elections and in the Brexit debate"--

Book Synopsis

In The Populist Persuasion, the distinguished historian Michael Kazin guides readers through the expressions of conflict between powerful elites and "the people" that have run through our civic life, filling it with discord and meaning from the birth of the United States until the present day.

Kazin argues persuasively that the power of populism lies in its adaptable nature. Across the political spectrum, commentators paste the label on forces and individuals who really have just one big thing in common: they are effective at blasting "elites" or "the establishment" for harming the interests and betraying the ideals of "the people" in nations that are committed, at least officially, to democratic principles. Kazin's classic book has influenced debates over populism since its publication. The new preface to this edition brings the story up to date by charting the present resurgence of populist discourse, which was front and center in the 2016 elections and in the Brexit debate.

Review Quotes

The Populist Persuasion is provocative on individual moments and advocates and provides a rich source of information in both text and notes about populism's many expressions. This well-researched and lucidly written book provides a compendium of significant cases for teachers and scholars and suggestions for future research.

-- "Quarterly Journal of Speech"

A perceptive and passionately liberal book. Beginning with the antislavery crusade of the 1840s, Kazin skillfully surveys more than a century of mass protests, using imagery and symbolism as his guides.

-- "New York times"

Felicitously written, densely researched, and sprinkled with astute observations, The Populist Persuasion also displays a knack for locating political and intellectual contradictions.

-- "The Historian"

In his new book, Michael Kazin provides a rich and thoughtful account of the evolution of populist rhetoric on the left and the right in American politics in the past century.

-- "The New Republic"

In this book, Kazin provides a significant historical view of a complex phenomenon that has had a profound impact on American life. He deserves credit for enlarging the panorama and furnishing a fresh outlook on a significant aspect of American history.

-- "The Annals of the American Academy"

Kazin does an admirable job of tracing the transformations of the populist "persuasion," ending with its recent "capture" by the Right. Earlier populism--especially the People's party of the 1890s--was identified with the Left, concerned to limit economic inequality, committed to the rights of workers as producers, and inclined to regard political society as a moral community, to be judged by essentially religious standards.

-- "Commonweal"

Kazin has produced an extremely stimulating and suggestive book. His analysis of the development of American political rhetoric during the past century is consistently lucid, incisive, and compelling.

-- "History"

Kazin shows populism's canny ability to mix homespun rhetoric and political savvy. The book explains something very important in American life with scrupulous fairness and a keen eye for the humanizing detail. It is as good a road map as we have to the politics of the people who work hard and play by the rules.

-- "Wall Street Journal"

Michael Kazin introduces The Populist Persuasion with a forthright acknowledgment of the decline of the American left.... Attractively open-minded. If more minds were open, fewer of them would be boggled.

-- "Times Literary Supplement"

The important questions raised by the success of the populist right in the United States are illuminated in Kazin's splendid and timely book.

-- "The Nation"

About the Author

Michael Kazin is Professor of History at Georgetown University and coeditor of Dissent. His many books include War Against War, American Dreamers, and A Godly Hero.