Arthur Goldwag

Arthur S. Goldwag is a writer and editor recognized for his in-depth examinations of right-wing populism and its historical ties to conspiracy theories. His 2012 book, 'The New Hate: A History of Fear and Loathing on the Populist Right,' delves into the origins and manifestations of hate-driven ideologies within this political sphere.

Goldwag's research for 'The New Hate' draws upon his earlier works, including those on cults, conspiracies, and secret societies, extending his investigations back through centuries of scholarship. He analyzes how fear and hate fuel personalized economic conspiracy theories, particularly within radical right movements and contemporary groups like the Tea Party. The book traces the evolution of right-wing populism, connecting its historical roots to modern manifestations and dissecting various forms of propagated hate, such as racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and homophobia, and their role in justifying violence and discrimination.

Published in 2012 by Pantheon Books, 'The New Hate' is Arthur S. Goldwag's significant contribution to the study of political science and public affairs. The book meticulously details the history of conspiracy theories prevalent within right-wing populist movements in the United States. Goldwag specifically highlights what he identifies as personalized economic conspiracy theories, arguing they are fundamentally driven by fear and animosity originating from the radical right and extending to contemporary groups like the Tea Party movement.

Goldwag's exploration in 'The New Hate' is informed by extensive prior research, including his books 'Cults, Conspiracies, and Secret Societies' and 'The Illuminati, Skull and Bones, Black Helicopters, The New World Order.' His scholarly approach often revisits historical precedents, engaging with foundational texts in the study of American political thought and extremism. Key works that inform his perspective include Richard Hofstadter's 'The Paranoid Style in American Politics,' 'Right-Wing Populism in America: Too Close for Comfort' by Chip Berlet and Matthew N. Lyons, and 'The Politics of Unreason: Right-Wing Extremism in America, 1790-1967' by Seymour Martin Lipset and Earl Raab.

In 'The New Hate,' Goldwag provides a comprehensive analysis of the rise of right-wing populism and its associated ideologies of hate. He traces the historical trajectory of these movements, from their origins to their contemporary forms, including connections to groups like the alt-right. The book dissects the various manifestations of hate promoted by right-wing populists, such as racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and homophobia, and examines how these sentiments are utilized to legitimize violence and discrimination. Goldwag effectively demonstrates the interconnectedness of these hateful ideologies.

“The New Hate is at once the expression of a quixotic desire to turn back the clock to a mythical golden age when women and minorities and gays and foreigners were less troublesome than they are today; when the government only gave and never took; and a cynical ploy to up the turnout of Republican voters. Most of the time it’s reflexive and vindictive to its core.”