McCarthyism Reborn

My husband mentioned hearing an interesting interview on Marty Moss-Coane's Radio Times, so I listened to it last night on-line (I know, it’s pretty bad when that’s your Friday evening entertainment). Dave Davies of the Philadelphia Daily News interviewed historian Haynes Johnson on his new book “The Age of Anxiety: McCarthyism to Terrorism.”

The just published book tells the story of Senator Joseph McCarthy, and compares that era to the political milieu of our own time, when fear and anxiety drive American attitudes and behavior. The fascinating interview highlights the McCarthy era and its enduring influence on American politics. Johnson depicts McCarthy’s anti-Communist crusade, examining the roles both of Eisenhower and others who condoned McCarthy’s actions, and of foes such as Edward R. Murrow. I have read books on McCarthy before, but he provides a new twist by showing parallels between that era and today, arguing that once again our civil liberties and our Constitution are at risk, as we balance the need for national security against our rights to personal freedom.

The only failing, at least in the interview, was his disinclination to “name names.” He said that there was no McCarthy-like figure today; instead, McCarthyism thrives. I can think of several people who would qualify as McCarthyites of today, starting with Karl Rove.

Even so, the interview is definitely worth listening to and I put the book on my reading list.