The Politics of Deceit: Saving Freedom and Democracy from Extinction - Hardcover

Smith, Glenn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471667633 ISBN 13: 9780471667636

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, 2004

Synopsis

A compelling indictment of the Bush Administration's cynical, antidemocratic manipulation of the media In this devastating analysis of American politics today, a former Democratic campaign advisor pulls back the curtain on the pervasive political manipulation of the mediaand reveals just how fragile our democracy is. From political ads and talk shows to mainstream media reporting, Glenn Smith shows how American political discourse is now dominated by carefully scripted images and rhetoricmost of which benefit the Republicans and their corporate allies. The result is public apathy toward politicsand a real threat to American freedom. To reclaim our nation, Smith argues, we must revitalize politics at the grassroots leveland liberals must realize that religion and spirituality are not antithetical to a progressive agenda. For anyone troubled by manipulative political advertising, selfaggrandizing celebrity pundits, and the undiminished role of money in politics, this necessary book lays out the full scope of the problemand points the way toward solutions. Glenn Smith (Austin, TX), a former journalist and political consultant, managed MoveOn.org's Defending Democracy Campaign. He is currently managing DriveDemocracy.org, a spinoff of MoveOn, and a consultant to the Rockridge Institute, a progressive think tank.

About this title

From the Back Cover

PRAISE FOR THE POLITICS OF DECEIT

"From straight out of the frontline trenches of politicalwarfare, some genuinely original thinking, a few laughs and aglimpse of a better world. Can’t ask for more thanthat."
Molly Ivins, columnist and author, most recently, ofBushwhacked

"Glenn Smith goes beyond the hype, with deep, eye–openinginsights into the history–making possibilities of online activism.Having run political campaigns the old way, Smith is no starry eyedidealist, yet projects a thoughtful and optimistic vision fordemocracy in America. The Politics of Deceit is a must–read."
Wes Boyd, cofounder, MoveOn.org

"Glenn Smith has documented how a radical conservative minorityhas achieved political domination in America largely throughdeceit carefully crafted, well–funded, systematic deceit. Indoing so, they have fragmented American’s sense of unity, andweakened our position in the world, our military, our economy, ourenvironment, our health, and our educational system. Worst of all,they threaten our very freedoms. The Politics of Deceit is a callto action, grass–roots political action. It is time to be citizensagain."
George Lakoff, Senior Fellow, The Rockridge Institute
author, Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think
professor, University of California at Berkeley

About the Author

GLENN W. SMITH has been a behind–the–scenes advisor to U.S. senators and governors, as well as a partner with key presidential advisors to President Clinton and President Bush. He has advised major U.S. businesses and institutions on communications strategies and worked for politicians and organizations from Washington, D.C., to California. Smith, who managed the recent Defend Democracy Campaign for MoveOn.org, has established DriveDemocracy.org to open new avenues for political participation at the state and local levels. He has also served as a consultant to the Rockridge Institute, a progressive think tank based in California. Previously, he was managing director of Public Strategies, Inc., an international public affairs firm. Before entering politics, Smith was a journalist for many years. He lives in Austin, Texas.

About this edition

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0471667633
• ISBN 13: 9780471667636
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256