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Decline and Discontent: Communism and the West Today,Used
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In this lucid and thoughtprovoking volume, Paul Hollander juxtaposes and examines two apparently unrelated phenomena and their possible connections: the sudden and unexpected collapse of Communist systems during the late 1980s and the less spectacular erosion of social cohesion and cultural values in the West and primarily in the United States since the late 1960s.The first part of the book is devoted to the failures of communism, or of 'existing socialism', with special reference to malfunctioning characteristics of these states, focusing on the Soviet Union and Hungary. The author also examines in a broad comparative framework the patterns of deprivation and dissatisfaction these systems generate wherever they have been established. Among the sources of dissatisfaction and loss of legitimacy the author emphasizes not only the discrepancies between theory and practice, butunlike many other students of such systemsalso the part played by the implementation of MarxismLeninism in the failures of these systems. He notes the paradox that while Western authors developed lively and detailed scenarios about the impending decline of the United States, few anticipated the crises and dramatic unravelling of Communist systems.The second part of the volume addresses the more elusive discontents found in the West and especially, the United States, articulated by intellectuals, educators, and opinion makers. Here the author considers the possibility that a wide variety of highly personal discontents have in recent times taken socialpolitical forms and found public expression. Specific topics in this section include the Institution for Policy Studies, an organization devoted to the production and dissemination of social criticism for over a quarter century; the hostility to Western cultural legacy and values in higher education disguised of late as 'multicultural studies'; the possibility of new political pilgrimages after the attractions of Nicaragua waned; the pattern of responses and moral evasions on the Left associated with the unravelling of communism; the new antiwar movement inspired by the war with Iraq and its similarities to the antiwar movements of the Vietnam era.Decline and Discontent will be of interest to intellectual historians, political scientists, sociologists, and all those seeking a better understanding of the complex and contradictory political and cultural trends in the 1980s and beyond.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Decline and Discontent: Communism and the West Today'? A: The book explores the connections between the collapse of communist systems in the late 1980s and the decline of social cohesion and cultural values in the West, particularly in the United States since the late 1960s.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author is Paul Hollander, a notable scholar known for his insights on political and social issues.
- Q: What type of book is 'Decline and Discontent'? A: It is a hardcover book classified under Feminist Theory, with a focus on political science and sociology.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains 300 pages.
- Q: What condition is the used book in? A: It is described as a used book in good condition.
- Q: When was 'Decline and Discontent' published? A: The book was published on January 30, 1991.
- Q: What kind of insights can readers expect from this book? A: Readers can expect a comparative analysis of the failures of communism and the emerging discontents in Western society, with discussions on various social and political movements.
- Q: Is there a specific audience for this book? A: Yes, it is aimed at intellectual historians, political scientists, sociologists, and anyone interested in understanding contemporary political and cultural trends.
- Q: What are some of the specific topics addressed in the book? A: The book discusses the failures of communist systems, social criticism movements, multicultural studies in education, and responses to the antiwar movements.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: The available edition is the first edition.