Kabuki Democracy: The System vs. Barack Obama
Why has President Barack Obama been unable to deliver on the promise of his 2008 campaign? While Obama’s compromises have disappointed many of his supporters, his failure is primarily due to a political system that stymies democracy when voters choose progressive change. From the archaic rules of the senate to the political dominance of the finance industry to the decisions of the Supreme Court to the failure of the press to the rise of anti-government movements, structural and ideological impediments to democracy make passing progressive legislation almost impossible.
Brilliantly blending incisive political analysis with a clear agenda for change, Kabuki Democracy cuts through the clichés of conservative propaganda and lazy mainstream media analysis to demonstrate that genuine transformation will come to America only when enough people care enough to challenge the system.
Why We're Liberals: Restoring America's Most Important Ideals
Thanks to the machinations of the right, there is no dirtier word in American politics today than “liberal”—yet public opinion polls consistently show that the majority of Americans hold liberal views on everything from health care to foreign policy. In this feisty, accessible presentation, bestselling author Eric Alterman sets out to restore liberalism to its rightful honored place in our political life as the politics of America’s everyday citizens.
In Why We’re Liberals Alterman examines liberalism’s development and demonstrates how its partisans have come to represent not just the mainstream, but the majority of Americans today. In a crisply-argued, though extensively documented counterattack on right-wing spin and misinformation, Alterman briskly disposes of such canards as “Liberals Hate God” and “Liberals Are Soft On Terrorism,” reclaiming liberalism from the false definitions foisted upon it by the right and repeated everywhere else. Why We’re Liberals brings clarity and perspective to what has often been a one-sided debate for nothing less than the heart and soul of America.
Can You Trust The Media?
The "news" is supposed to be something we can trust - a source of unbiased reporting of the events of the day. If it were only that simple. In a provocative, insightful and educational presentation, Eric Alterman argues that the American media has become so partisan and biased as to be almost untrustworthy. The implications of this for American democracy make for a lively and thought-provoking discussion.
The Book on Bush: Why George W. Is Bad for America
As an unabashed "liberal", Eric Alterman makes no effort to hide his feelings that the presidency of George W. Bush has been a disaster for America. In this talk he chronicles what he sees as the president's long list of failures and sins of both ommission and commission. You may not agree with his conclusions, but Alterman's perspective is one that is sure to provoke both debate and discussion.
Truth in Politics - Is There Such A Thing?
It has become almost a truism of the modern age - politicians lie. Full Stop. But is that really the case, or is there still truth in politics? In this talk Eric Alterman explores this crucial question and offers some surprising answers.
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