Hope and Scorn: Eggheads, Experts, and Elites in American Politics

Michael J. Brown's book "Hope and Scorn" explores the role of high-profile experts and thinkers in American life and their ever-fluctuating relationship with the political and public spheres. It investigates the definition of an intellectual, their obligations to society, and their contributions to democracy.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 368 pages
\n Publication date: 15 September 2020
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Intellectuals have played a complex and multifaceted role in American politics, serving as both rallying points and targets of scorn. In his book, "Hope and Scorn: The Role of High-Profile Experts and Thinkers in American Life," Michael J. Brown explores this ongoing debate, examining whether intellectual public figures are essential voices of knowledge and wisdom or out-of-touch elites.

The book delves into the historical context of the intellectual's role in modern democracy, from the era of Eisenhower to Obama. It raises questions about what makes an intellectual and who can claim that privileged title. It also explores the obligations of intellectuals to society and the compatibility of their contributions with democracy.

Through a series of profiles of key figures, including politicians, scholars, and public intellectuals, Brown examines the shifting anxieties and aspirations for democracy in America in the second half of the twentieth century and beyond. The book begins with the rise of "egghead politicians" like Adlai Stevenson and ends with the emergence of a new class of public intellectuals, typified by figures such as bell hooks and Cornel West.

Brown's writing is clear and accessible, making complex issues of power, authority, political backlash, and more accessible to a broad audience. "Hope and Scorn" is an essential guide to American concerns about intellectuals, their myriad shortcomings, and their formidable abilities. It encourages readers to think critically about the role of intellectuals in shaping public discourse and political outcomes.

In conclusion, "Hope and Scorn" is a thought-provoking and insightful book that sheds light on the complex relationship between intellectuals and American politics. It challenges readers to consider the role of experts and thinkers in shaping our understanding of the world and our place in it. By examining the hopes and scorns that have accompanied the intellectual's role in American life, Brown provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the importance of knowledge and wisdom in our society.

\n Weight: 624g\n
Dimension: 162 x 238 x 29 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226718149\n \n