Conspiracy U: A Case Study

by Scott A. Shay

Overview

Conspiracy U exposes how conspiracy theories drawn from far-right and far-left ideologies masquerade as scholarship at many universities, endangering our norms and conceptions of morality and truth.

In Conspiracy U, Shay presents a case study of his alma mater, Northwestern University, in order to challenge the proliferation of anti-Zionist conspiracy theories championed on college campuses by both the far right and far left.

Shay tackles the thorny question of how otherwise brilliant minds willingly come to embrace and espouse such patent falsehoods. He explains why Zionism, the movement for Jewish national self-determination, has become the focal point for both far-right and far-left conspiracy theories. His keen analysis reveals why Jews serve as the canary in the coal mine.

Conspiracy U delivers an urgent wake-up call for everyone who cares about the future of civil society and is concerned that universities today are failing at teaching students how to strive for truth but rather guiding students to blindly trust theories driven by ideology. The book provides a roadmap for reform based on universal moral and intellectual standards and offers a way out of the culture wars that are ripping America apart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781637580929
Publisher:	Wicked Son
Publication date:	10/19/2021
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Scott A. Shay is the author of In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism (a Mosaic Authors’ Best Book of 2018 and a finalist for a National Jewish Book Award) and Getting our Groove Back: How to Energize American Jewry. He is a co-founder and chairman of Signature Bank. His essays have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Daily News, Bloomberg, The Hill, Jewish Week, American Banker, Forward, and many other publications. Shay has been thinking about universities ever since he became the first person on either side of his family to attend one.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Part I

1 Finally

Anti-Zionist conspiracy theories in the 1970s: evil ideas have consequences 3

2 Whatsoever things are lovely 1

Conspiracy theories: what they are and why they are bad 15

3 Brethren

Butz and Thrasher: Conspiracy Theorists 27

Part II

4 Whatsoever things are true 1

Why Butz and Thrasher's Conspiracy Theories are worthless (or as my father would say, gornisht) 39

5 Whatsoever things are lovely 2

Why Butz and Thrasher's demonization of Zionists is crazy (or what my father would call meshuganah) 49

6 Whatsoever things are of good report 1

Why their claims to objectivity are rhetorical tall tales (or bolbe, as my father would say) 68

7 Whatsoever things are of good report 2

How encounters with reality can inoculate against Conspiracy Theories 83

Part III

8 Whatsoever things are honest 1

An intellectual tradition of far-left and far-right anti-Zionist Conspiracy Theories 97

9 Whatsoever things are just

A political tradition of far-left and far-right anti-Zionist Conspiracy Theories 124

Part IV

10 If there be any praise 1

Why the Golden Rule is fundamental to scholarship and society 139

11 Whatsoever things are of good report 3

How a reasonable theory can be abused and how a bad theory can be exalted 146

12 Whatsoever things are of good report 4

How to evaluate ideologies critically 164

13 Whatsoever things are pure

Why Judaism and Zionism drive their opponents crazy 173

Part V

14 Whatsoever things are honest 2

How good theories and good practices get turned bad 183

15 If there be any praise 2

The erosion of the Golden Rule on Northwestern campuses has been facilitated by the university's response 193

16 Think on these things

(Re)turning to the Golden Rule 223

Appendix 236

Acknowledgments 237

Endnotes 239

Editorial Reviews

"Scott Shay has written a courageous and compelling critique of the ways that anti-Semitic conspiracy theories have taken root in parts of academia. While focusing on Northwestern University—the beloved alma mater of us both—he could just as well have written about any major American campus. The liberal spirit, indispensable to the modern Jewish success story, is under sustained assault from right and left. This book is a powerful guide to helping us push back." —Yossi Klein Halevi, Senior Fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute, Author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor

"This book is a wake-up call to all of us, whether we are Jewish or not. The author methodically lays out the threat of Conspiracy Theories. We should all learn the lessons from this book. In today's world, too much distortion of facts has been done, with Conspiracy Theories as the weapon of choice. Hopefully the Golden Rule of 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' will be the shining light and overcome the darkness." —Fred Teng, President, America China Public Affairs Institute

"Conspiracy U is at once moving and maddening while inviting thinking and motivating action. Shay carefully dissects the anti-Zionist antisemitism of the far left and far right, finding frightening points of convergence and demonstrating that much of anti-Israelism is just plain anti-Semitism. This is a must-read not just for those interested in Israel but for anyone trying to understand the broad cross currents that are buffeting society." —Mark Mellman, President and CEO, Democratic Majority for Israel

"Scott Shay has written an engaging personal account of Jewish history, connecting his and his father's experiences into a larger narrative which starts millennia ago. This book should be required reading for any high school or college student interested in Jewish heritage who is looking for insight into how the Jewish journey relates to some of the most hot button issues of today." —Simone Friedman, Head of Philanthropy and Impact Investment, EJF Philanthropies

"Scott Shay has once again written a well-researched and compelling book on a scourge of our time: the conspiracy theory. He defines what such theories are, demonstrates their ugly reach, and describes their stubborn persistence in his own search for an abiding truth." —Dr. Erica Brown, Director of the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership, The George Washington University

"This book is a wake-up call to anyone, in the US or the UK, who cares about the state of higher education. The book is painstakingly researched and documents anti-Semitic conspiracy theories from both the far right and the far left. It's not an easy read, but is sadly an important one. Shay has written a tough love letter to Northwestern University and to all academia." —Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand, London, UK

"The education of the next generation is vital in the fight against anti-Semitism, for history teaches us that the Jewish people have always been the 'canary in the coal mine,' whose mistreatment inevitably indicates broader societal danger coming to other minorities. Scott Shay takes a courageous look at what is being taught in our universities today and its dangerous consequences. Shay brilliantly explains what we can do to change the narrative now." —Bishop Robert Stearns, Executive Director, Eagles’ Wings

"Though the assault on truth and the proliferation of conspiracy theories are not new in the long course of history, the unique issues on today's college campuses require thoughtful analysis. Scott Shay's new book Conspiracy U provides that and more, offering prescriptions for tackling this challenge that speaks to who we are as a people and who we will be as today's students become tomorrow's leaders." —Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President, Union for Reform Judaism

"This is a thoughtful book which I recommend, while noting my disagreement with some of its conclusions. Scott Shay presents extensive evidence of increasing anti-Semitic attacks in America. While I believe that the overall situation is less ominous that he does—I strongly differ from his discussion of Jews and 'whiteness'—those committed to combating prejudice in America will benefit from understanding why he, as a Jew who has worked hard to promote mutual respect among all sectors of our society, has come to feel as he does." —Former Congressman Barney Frank, D-MA

"Conspiracy U is an urgent book that appears just in time. Full of facts and history, the book argues unironically that, without facts and history, a theory quickly becomes a conspiracy theory—and that conspiracy theories about the Jews have devastating consequences, not just for the Jews. Shay's argument is unimpeachable, and readers will be armed with a complex understanding of Jewish history and Zionism, conspiracy theories and their political positioning, and the illiberal and dangerous trajectory of the American academy. This is a fight that liberals and progressives must take on ourselves and Conspiracy U will be instructive for all of us." —Amanda Berman, Founder and Executive Director of the Zioness Movement

"Scott Shay has written a book that is compelling and telling. Shay is a much-needed referee calling fouls on professors who aren't playing by the rules." —Walt "Clyde" Frazier, NBA Legend and Basketball Hall of Fame Member

From the Publisher

"Scott Shay has once again written a well-researched and compelling book on a scourge of our time: the conspiracy theory. He defines what such theories are, demonstrates their ugly reach, and describes their stubborn persistence in his own search for an abiding truth."

Dr. Erica Brown

"Conspiracy U is at once moving and maddening while inviting thinking and motivating action. Shay carefully dissects the anti-Zionist antisemitism of the far left and far right, finding frightening points of convergence and demonstrating that much of anti-Israelism is just plain anti-Semitism. This is a must-read not just for those interested in Israel but for anyone trying to understand the broad cross currents that are buffeting society."

Mark Mellman

"This book is a wake-up call to all of us, whether we are Jewish or not. The author methodically lays out the threat of Conspiracy Theories. We should all learn the lessons from this book. In today's world, too much distortion of facts has been done, with Conspiracy Theories as the weapon of choice. Hopefully the Golden Rule of 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' will be the shining light and overcome the darkness."

Fred Teng

"The education of the next generation is vital in the fight against anti-Semitism, for history teaches us that the Jewish people have always been the 'canary in the coal mine,' whose mistreatment inevitably indicates broader societal danger coming to other minorities. Scott Shay takes a courageous look at what is being taught in our universities today and its dangerous consequences. Shay brilliantly explains what we can do to change the narrative now."

Bishop Robert Stearns

"Scott Shay has written a book that is compelling and telling. Shay is a much-needed referee calling fouls on professors who aren't playing by the rules."

Walt “Clyde” Frazier

"This is a thoughtful book which I recommend, while noting my disagreement with some of its conclusions. Scott Shay presents extensive evidence of increasing anti-Semitic attacks in America. While I believe that the overall situation is less ominous that he does—I strongly differ from his discussion of Jews and 'whiteness'—those committed to combating prejudice in America will benefit from understanding why he, as a Jew who has worked hard to promote mutual respect among all sectors of our society, has come to feel as he does."

Former Congressman Barney Frank

"Though the assault on truth and the proliferation of conspiracy theories are not new in the long course of history, the unique issues on today's college campuses require thoughtful analysis. Scott Shay's new book Conspiracy U provides that and more, offering prescriptions for tackling this challenge that speaks to who we are as a people and who we will be as today's students become tomorrow's leaders."

Rabbi Rick Jacobs

"Scott Shay has written an engaging personal account of Jewish history, connecting his and his father's experiences into a larger narrative which starts millennia ago. This book should be required reading for any high school or college student interested in Jewish heritage who is looking for insight into how the Jewish journey relates to some of the most hot button issues of today."

Simone Friedman

"Conspiracy U is an urgent book that appears just in time. Full of facts and history, the book argues unironically that, without facts and history, a theory quickly becomes a conspiracy theory—and that conspiracy theories about the Jews have devastating consequences, not just for the Jews. Shay's argument is unimpeachable, and readers will be armed with a complex understanding of Jewish history and Zionism, conspiracy theories and their political positioning, and the illiberal and dangerous trajectory of the American academy. This is a fight that liberals and progressives must take on ourselves and Conspiracy U will be instructive for all of us."

Amanda Berman

"Scott Shay has written a courageous and compelling critique of the ways that anti-Semitic conspiracy theories have taken root in parts of academia. While focusing on Northwestern University—the beloved alma mater of us both—he could just as well have written about any major American campus. The liberal spirit, indispensable to the modern Jewish success story, is under sustained assault from right and left. This book is a powerful guide to helping us push back."

Yossi Klein Halevi

"This book is a wake-up call to anyone, in the US or the UK, who cares about the state of higher education. The book is painstakingly researched and documents anti-Semitic conspiracy theories from both the far right and the far left. It's not an easy read, but is sadly an important one. Shay has written a tough love letter to Northwestern University and to all academia."

Rabbi Shoshana Boyd Gelfand

2022-03-10
A political book offers a comprehensive analysis of the virulent anti-Zionist conspiracy theories infecting today’s college campuses.

The two fringes of America’s political spectrum, the far right and the far left, have little in common. But, Shay writes, their agendas converge in their prolific trafficking in anti-Zionist propaganda. He focuses his “case study” on two professors at his beloved alma mater, Northwestern University, although he makes clear the problem exists across America’s campuses. Arthur Butz, an electrical engineering professor who has been a Holocaust denier for decades, claims that “Zionists conspired to create the ‘hoax’ that six million Jews died in the Holocaust to force the Allies to grant them Palestine.” In the 1970s, after receiving tenure at Northwestern, Butz published his vitriolic screed The Hoax of the Twentieth Century, filled with antisemitic tropes. Northwestern denounced the book, but Butz remains a faculty member today. Steven Thrasher, a more recent hire, hails from a journalism background. While not a Holocaust denier, he is a vociferous denouncer of Israel’s legitimacy. “I am so proud…of my colleagues,” Thrasher asserted during his 2019 New York University Doctoral Convocation, “for supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against the apartheid state government in Israel.” Shay begins his treatise by explaining the difference between conspiracyand conspiracy theory. The former describes a collection of verified facts and/or actions; the latter shows willful disregard for legitimate evidence. In his meticulously footnoted volume, the author argues that anti-Zionist conspiracy theories are just old-fashioned antisemitism with contemporary monikers. He supports his argument with well-researched Jewish history through three millennia, pointing out that contrary to the claim that Zionists are imperial colonialists, Jews have always lived in Israel/Palestine. Whether as a majority or a remnant after forced diasporas, they have populated the land that is their enduring home. The book is sometimes a challenging slog. There is repetition, and it delivers a variety of digressions. But even the sections that feel ponderous contain enlightening historical gems. In this time of rampant conspiracy theories of all stripes, Shay issues an urgent call for a return to honorable, truth-seeking discourse, especially at the pinnacles of learning.

A thoughtful, informative, and disturbing discussion about anti-Zionist propaganda with depressing currency.

Kirkus Reviews