Race and the Politics of Fear: A History of an American Oligarchic Construct
Race and the Politics of Fear is a study of the role of race in American political history. It takes a novel approach by using Aristotle’s theory of the mixed regime to analyze the American system. Aristotle’s mixed regime - containing elements of oligarchy and democracy - was well-known to the Founders, who used it to design the Constitution. Accordingly, American political history has unfolded as a struggle between oligarchic and democratic forces. Oligarchs have frequently used race to divide the people and maintain power.

This book traces the oligarchic construction of race from its creation in the Colonial period and through a study of four major figures. James Madison helped formulate the Constitution to provide protection for the Southern oligarchies and was a founder of the Democratic-Republican party dominated by Southern interests. John C. Calhoun’s theory of the concurrent majority provided a blueprint for the South’s political strategy in the Jim Crow era. Ben Tillman redefined race primarily as a feeling as an excuse for the South’s violent oppression of the black community. Ronald Reagan retooled the traditional racist myths and made them palatable to a national audience.

Readable yet extensively documented, it is appropriate for general audiences and scholars.

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Race and the Politics of Fear: A History of an American Oligarchic Construct
Race and the Politics of Fear is a study of the role of race in American political history. It takes a novel approach by using Aristotle’s theory of the mixed regime to analyze the American system. Aristotle’s mixed regime - containing elements of oligarchy and democracy - was well-known to the Founders, who used it to design the Constitution. Accordingly, American political history has unfolded as a struggle between oligarchic and democratic forces. Oligarchs have frequently used race to divide the people and maintain power.

This book traces the oligarchic construction of race from its creation in the Colonial period and through a study of four major figures. James Madison helped formulate the Constitution to provide protection for the Southern oligarchies and was a founder of the Democratic-Republican party dominated by Southern interests. John C. Calhoun’s theory of the concurrent majority provided a blueprint for the South’s political strategy in the Jim Crow era. Ben Tillman redefined race primarily as a feeling as an excuse for the South’s violent oppression of the black community. Ronald Reagan retooled the traditional racist myths and made them palatable to a national audience.

Readable yet extensively documented, it is appropriate for general audiences and scholars.

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Race and the Politics of Fear: A History of an American Oligarchic Construct

Race and the Politics of Fear: A History of an American Oligarchic Construct

by J. Noel Hubler
Race and the Politics of Fear: A History of an American Oligarchic Construct
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Race and the Politics of Fear: A History of an American Oligarchic Construct

Race and the Politics of Fear: A History of an American Oligarchic Construct

by J. Noel Hubler

Overview

Race and the Politics of Fear is a study of the role of race in American political history. It takes a novel approach by using Aristotle’s theory of the mixed regime to analyze the American system. Aristotle’s mixed regime - containing elements of oligarchy and democracy - was well-known to the Founders, who used it to design the Constitution. Accordingly, American political history has unfolded as a struggle between oligarchic and democratic forces. Oligarchs have frequently used race to divide the people and maintain power.

This book traces the oligarchic construction of race from its creation in the Colonial period and through a study of four major figures. James Madison helped formulate the Constitution to provide protection for the Southern oligarchies and was a founder of the Democratic-Republican party dominated by Southern interests. John C. Calhoun’s theory of the concurrent majority provided a blueprint for the South’s political strategy in the Jim Crow era. Ben Tillman redefined race primarily as a feeling as an excuse for the South’s violent oppression of the black community. Ronald Reagan retooled the traditional racist myths and made them palatable to a national audience.

Readable yet extensively documented, it is appropriate for general audiences and scholars.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781032968513
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Publication date: 05/15/2025
Series: Routledge Advances in American History
Pages: 400
Product dimensions: 6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

J. Noel Hubler is Professor of Philosophy and Politics at Lebanon Valley College and a student of U.S. Political History and Ancient Greek Philosophy. He is the author of Overcoming Uncertainty in Ancient Greek Political Philosophy (2021), a study of the role of opinion in Greek political theory.

Table of Contents

Introduction

 

Section 1: Background

Chapter 1. Race as an Oligarchic Construct

Chapter 2. The Construction of Race in Colonial Virginia

Chapter 3. Aristotle, Oligarchy, and the Mixed Regime

 

Section 2: James Madison

Chapter 4. James Madison, Slavery, and Excess Democracy

Chapter 5. The Constitution and the Oligarchic Mix

Chapter 6. Madison and the Protection of Southern Oligarchy

 

Section 3: John C. Calhoun

Chapter 7. Calhoun and the Racist Myths

Chapter 8. Calhoun and the Need for Oligarchy

Section 4: Ben Tillman

Chapter 9. Ben Tillman and the Restoration of Southern Oligarchy

Chapter 10. Tillman and the Consolidation of Southern Oligarchy

 

Section 5: Ronald Reagan

Chapter 11. Ronald Reagan and Old Myths in New Skins

Chapter 12. Reaganomics and Race

Chapter 13. Reagan and the Oligarchic Turn

 

Conclusion

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United States History
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United States History
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