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Please submit a 500-word discussion post on A Concise History of the United Stat
Please submit a 500-word discussion post on A Concise History of the United States. Some ideas/issues you might consider:
American Exceptionalism? Stone is ultimately providing a historical critique of exceptionalism
American Myth? More central than Exceptionalism, the text addresses what Stone regards as an almost mythical understanding of US history and the role of the nation globally.
Role of media in our understanding of events/history – consider how the discussions of Bernays and Chomsky fit into Stone’s account. Is this propaganda or an attempt to rectify propaganda?
To what extent is this an “untold” history? Or is it in fact – a dominant narrative among historians/academia (e.g. role of Soviets in WWII and Truman’s decision to drop the bomb), but not a history that has penetrated to the general public? Public schools, mainstream media – the mass public that cling to the idea of “American Exceptionalism”. More “unlearned” than “untold”?
Is this conspiratorial – or, does Stone simply try to draw our attention to “unseen forces” – political, corporate, psychological – that shape our society in ways we are not aware of.
To what extent does this fit the accusation of critics that it is nothing more than Cold War “revisionism” and “Stalinist Propaganda”
Some consider Stone’s account as coming from a “Leftist” lens? Is the “left” cornered by the “right” in matters of patriotism? Does this make criticism of US actions – past or present – politically dangerous?
How easy is it to balance National Security vs. Morality? Is Stone overly idealistic?
How easy is it for us to make moral/normative judgments about historical actors (e.g. Truman)? Truman as a “wimp” who was eager to stand up to Stalin… (psychoanalyzing him). Does Stone fail to acknowledge the social, political and psychological complexities that dominate human actions? Is this an “alternative mythology”?
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