The psychological technique of Martin Luther Thomas' radio addresses / Theodor W. Adorno.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Adorno, Theodor W., 1903-1969.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Thomas, Martin Luther--Psychology.

Thomas, Martin Luther.

Radio in religion--United States--Case studies.

Radio in religion.

Radio in propaganda--United States--Case studies.

Radio in propaganda.

Christianity and politics--United States--Case studies.

Christianity and politics.

Fascism--United States--Case studies.

Fascism.

Psychology.

United States.

Local Subjects:

Thomas, Martin Luther.

Genre:

Case studies.

Physical Description:

131 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Stanford, Calif. : Stanford University Press, 2000.

Summary:

Theodor W. Adorno (1903-1969) was one of the twentieth century's most influential thinkers in the areas of social theory, philosophy, aesthetics, and music. This volume reveals another facet of the work of this remarkable polymath, a pioneering analysis of the psychological underpinnings of what we now call the Radical Right and its use of the media to propagate its political and religious agenda.

The now-forgotten Martin Luther Thomas was an American fascist-style demagogue of the Christian right and a radio personality in the 1930s. During these years, Adorno was living in the United States and working with Paul Lazarsfeld on the social significance of radio. This book, originally written in English and one of Adorno's most accessible works, presents Adorno's penetrating analysis of Thomas's rhetorical appeal and manipulative techniques. It is in four parts: "The Personal Element: Self-Characterization of the Agitator," "Thomas' Methods," "The Religious Medium," and "Ideological Bait." The importance of the study is manifold: it includes a theory of fascism and antisemitism, it furnishes a methodology for the cultural study of popular culture, and it offers broad reflections on comparative political life in America and Europe.

Implicit in the book as well is an innovative idea about the relation between psychological and sociological reality. Moreover, in providing an analysis of rhetorical techniques that exploit the potentials of psychological regression for authoritarian aims, the study is germane to the contemporary reality of political and religious radio in the United States.

Contents:

I. The Personal Element: Self-Characterization of the Agitator 1

"Lone Wolf," 4

"Emotional Release" Device 6

"Persecuted Innocence" Device 10

"Indefatigability" Device 13

"Messenger" Device 15

"A Great Little Man," 18

"Human Interest," 24

"Good Old Time," 25

II. Thomas' Method 28

"Movement" Trick 31

"Flight-of-Ideas" Technique 32

"Listen to Your Leader," 37

Excursus on "fait accompli" Technique 42

"Unity' Trick 47

The "Democratic Cloak," 50

"If You Only Knew," 53

"Dirty Linen" Device 58

"Tingling Backbone" Device 61

"Last Hour" Device 64

"Black Hand" (Feme) Device 68

"Let Us Be Practical," 70

III. The Religious Medium 75

"Speaking with Tongues" Device 78

"Decomposition" (Zersetzung) Device 81

"Sheep and Bucks" Device 85

"Personal Experience" Device 87

"Anti-Institution" Trick 91

"Anti-Pharisees" Device 95

Religious Trickery in Operation 98

"Faith of Our Fathers" Device 100

IV. Ideological Bait 102

Imagery of Communism 105

"Communists and Bankers" Device 108

Administration- and President-Baiting 113

"Pick Up Thy Bed and Walk" Device 117

"The Jews Are Coming," 120

"Problem" Device 123.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

080474002X

0804740038

OCLC:

43968894