Patrick Ahern

Agitated Americans

Introduction

Agitated americans. Explore Agitated Americans, the rise of authoritarian populism, and pathic nationalism threatening US democracy. Analyzes agitators' appeal using insights from Adorno and Lowenthal's Frankfurt School.

Abstract

Not long after the so-called “statist” model of national identity was perceived to be waning with increasing globalization of power, the reactionary rise of authoritarian populist movements proliferated, promoting provincial and xenophobic outlooks. This ‘pathic nationalism’ has been promoted by the affective appeal of so-called ‘agitators’ who draw upon a shared sense of grievance, and rather than turning towards the sources of their frustration or offering a vision for its relief, only deepen submission to the current conditions. Though one could argue that anti-democratic and outright authoritarian impulses lie underneath nationalistic tendencies, these elements are brought to the fore in the pathic version of nationalism where the veneer of civil pride is undergirded by both a reified notion of “the people” and an affective aggressiveness toward an out-group. In this context, nationalistic impulses such as those found in the current expression of white and/or Christian nationalism in the United States entail a significant threat to the development and sustenance of a democratically organized society. In this essay, I explore the lessons of the early Frankfurt School, most notably by Theodor Adorno and Leo Lowenthal, for understanding the appeal and dangers of authoritarian populist agitators for the current development of an American national identity.

Review

This timely essay, "Agitated Americans," promises a critical theoretical exploration into the rise of authoritarian populism, particularly focusing on the American context of white and/or Christian nationalism. The abstract effectively introduces the concept of "pathic nationalism," characterizing it as a reactionary phenomenon driven by "agitators" who exploit shared grievances to deepen submission rather than offering solutions. The author posits that this form of nationalism, unlike traditional models, overtly brings anti-democratic impulses to the forefront, marked by a reified notion of "the people" and affective aggression towards out-groups, posing a significant threat to democratic society. The paper's strength lies in its proposed theoretical framework, drawing insightful lessons from the early Frankfurt School, specifically the work of Theodor Adorno and Leo Lowenthal. This choice offers a robust critical lens to understand the psychological and societal appeal of authoritarian populist agitators, a crucial task given the abstract's assertion of their significant threat to democratic societies. The interdisciplinary approach, blending political theory, sociology, and potentially social psychology, holds substantial promise for illuminating the complex dynamics of contemporary national identity formation and its vulnerabilities to illiberal forces. The focus on affect and grievance, rather than purely rational choice, is particularly pertinent. While the abstract provides a compelling overview, further details on the specific "lessons" from Adorno and Lowenthal that will be explored and how they will be directly applied to the American context would enhance its impact. For instance, clarifying how these thinkers' analyses of mass culture or authoritarian personality illuminate the *current* expression of white and/or Christian nationalism, beyond a general historical parallel, would be valuable. A reviewer might also wonder about the potential scope of the essay: will it include any discussion of specific historical or contemporary examples to illustrate the theoretical arguments, or will it remain at a higher conceptual level? Finally, given the gravity of the threat described, a brief mention of potential counter-strategies or implications for democratic resilience, even if only theoretically, could enrich the discussion.

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