Overview

In an era of political theatre, reason alone won't cut it. Dream or Nightmareis a book of left wing strategy like no other: It proposes that, to compete with the right, progressives cannot depend on reason and hard fact. They must also deploy drama in the battle of ideas. Donald Trump's presidency has shown how this is done, albeit to ends that are deplorable. Abandoning logic and truth, the Fabulist-in -hief conjures up spectacle to energize his base. Troops are dispatched to counter a fictional threat from convoys of helpless refugees. A powerful Supreme Court nominee is reduced to tears by accusations from a woman who has been sexually assaulted. Open fascists are described as ""good people"", physical attacks on journalists are lauded in front of cheering crowds. If they are to engage with this Barnum-like politics, leftists must learn how to communicate in today's ""vernacular of the spectacular"", invoking symbol and emotion themselves, as well as truth. Matching the right in this fashion does not mean adopting its values. Rather Duncombe sets out what he calls a politics of ""ethical spectacle"". Of extraordinary relevance to the dark carnival of contemporary politics, this new edition of the book sets out an electrifying new vision of progressive politics that is both persuasive and provocative.

Full Product Details

9781682191828

Table of Contents

Reviews

“A must for anyone who wants the Left to overcome its purist shame!” —Slavoj Žižek “His persuasive and pyrotechnic display of radical political thinking draws on a quirky mix of models-celebrity culture, the video game Grand Theft Auto and Umberto Eco's idea of opera aperta or free interpretation of art. ” —Publishers Weekly “A splendid plea for a politics rich in wit, sensuality, and aspiration.” —Andrew Ross “One of the best political writers of his generation-makes an impassioned, eloquent, and entertaining case for a joyful aesthetic of dissent.” —Liza Featherstone “Reminds us of the passion and creativity of a left political tradition worth reclaiming.” —Katrina vanden Heuvel “One of those indispensable . . . books that progressives who are interested in strategies to achieve political power and goals must read.” —BuzzFlash “This is not a wake-up-call. What Duncombe asks of progressives is to dream better. ” —Slate

Author Information

Stephen Duncombeis a lifelong activist and co-founder of theCenter for Artistic Activism. Teaching and writing on the intersection of culture and politics, he has published eight books, most notablyArt and Activism: Your All-Purpose Guide to Make the Impossible Possible(with Steve Lambert),Dream or Nightmare: Reimagining Politics in an Age of Fantasy, and theCultural Resistance Reader.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available