The Rhetoric of Reaction

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The Rhetoric of Reaction: Perversity, Futility, Jeopardy
Rhet React 9780674768680-lg.jpg
Author Albert O. Hirschman
CountryUSA
SubjectCriticism of Conservatism — History
PublisherThe Belknap Press of Harvard University Press
Publication date
1991
PagesPaperback: 224 p.
Hardback: 212 p.
ISBN 978-0674768680
OCLC 21972246
320.5209
LC Class JA83 .H54 1991

The Rhetoric of Reaction: Perversity, Futility, Jeopardy is a book by theorist Albert O. Hirschman, which styles the rhetoric of conservatism in opposition to social change as consisting of three narratives: perversity,futility, and jeopardy, and that, further, these narratives are simplistic and flawed, and cut off debate. After a historical examination of his thesis, he discusses corresponding progressive narratives, and proposes a new framework.

Contents

Hirschman takes as a starting point the neoconservative critiques of social security and other social welfare programs. Recalling Thomas Humphrey Marshall's theory of the development of citizenship in the West by which civil, political, and social dimensions of citizenship are successively achieved, Hirschman illustrates the rhetoric of reactionaries through citing arguments concerning three major reforms: the French Revolution, moves toward universal suffrage in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the concerns over the welfare state in his time.

Reactionary narratives

Hirschman describes the reactionary narratives thus:

He argues that these are "rhetorics of intransigence", which do not further debate.

Progressive narratives

In the final chapter, Hirschman discusses progressive narratives which he regards as simplistic and flawed.

Proposal

Hirschman advocates instead these "mature" bases for discussion:

  1. There are dangers and risks in both action and inaction. The risks of both should be canvassed, assessed, and guarded against to the extent possible.
  2. The baneful consequences of either action or inaction can never be known with certainty but our reaction to either is affected by the two types of alarm-sounding Cassandras with whom we have become acquainted.

Editions

See also

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