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Michael Parenti: Difference between revisions

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(Added a lengthy section talking about his Statesian patriotism)
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Parenti is a [[Statesian nationalism|Statesian patriot]].<ref>Parenti personally identifies as a patriot:<blockquote>Now, in contrast to the superpatriots—it begins to brighten here. I'm almost finished—[in] contrast to the superpatriots are the real patriots. '''We''' who, for instance, don't want to see the good name of our nation [the United States] sullied.</blockquote>[[AfroMarxist]] (2020-04-11).: [https://youtu.be/4vKfejeruhk "Michael Parenti: 'Super Patriotism vs Real Patriotism' (1988)"]. [[YouTube]]. Retrieved 2024-11-02.</ref> While he is very critical of Statesian policy (both domestic and foreign), while he acknowledges that the United States has always been imperialist since its very inception,<ref><blockquote>'''The history of the United States has been one of territorial, commercial, and military expansion.'''<br />[...]<br />As our common reading of history would have it, [...] the United States apparently developed a mighty empire while never being sullied by imperialistic practices. If imperialism is admitted, it is most often described as a kind of momentary lapse occurring sometime between the Spanish-American War and Theodore Roosevelt's "big stick" policy.<br />'''In reality, from the very beginning of its history, the nation suffered quite overtly from expansionist pangs.'''</blockquote>Michael Parenti (1969).: [[Library:The Anti-Communist Impulse|''The Anti-Communist Impulse'']]. [[Random House]]. [[Library:The Anti-Communist Impulse#CHAPTER SIX - Virtue Faces the World|CHAPTER SIX - Virtue Faces the World]]. p. 104.</ref> and while he criticises the patriotism of the ruling class, he nonetheless upholds the existence of the United States and advocates for Statesian patriotism.<ref name=":0">See [[Library:Superpatriotism#Real Patriotism|this chapter]] of his 2004 book ''[[Library:Superpatriotism|Superpatriotism]]'' in which he advocates for "real patriotism" in the United States, as opposed to the "Superpatriotism" of the ruling class.</ref>  
Parenti is a [[Statesian nationalism|Statesian patriot]].<ref>Parenti personally identifies as a patriot:<blockquote>Now, in contrast to the superpatriots—it begins to brighten here. I'm almost finished—[in] contrast to the superpatriots are the real patriots. '''We''' who, for instance, don't want to see the good name of our nation [the United States] sullied.</blockquote>[[AfroMarxist]] (2020-04-11).: [https://youtu.be/4vKfejeruhk "Michael Parenti: 'Super Patriotism vs Real Patriotism' (1988)"]. [[YouTube]]. Retrieved 2024-11-02.</ref> While he is very critical of Statesian policy (both domestic and foreign), while he acknowledges that the United States has always been imperialist since its very inception,<ref><blockquote>'''The history of the United States has been one of territorial, commercial, and military expansion.'''<br />[...]<br />As our common reading of history would have it, [...] the United States apparently developed a mighty empire while never being sullied by imperialistic practices. If imperialism is admitted, it is most often described as a kind of momentary lapse occurring sometime between the Spanish-American War and Theodore Roosevelt's "big stick" policy.<br />'''In reality, from the very beginning of its history, the nation suffered quite overtly from expansionist pangs.'''</blockquote>Michael Parenti (1969).: [[Library:The Anti-Communist Impulse|''The Anti-Communist Impulse'']]. [[Random House]]. [[Library:The Anti-Communist Impulse#CHAPTER SIX - Virtue Faces the World|CHAPTER SIX - Virtue Faces the World]]. p. 104.</ref> and while he criticises the patriotism of the ruling class, he nonetheless upholds the existence of the United States and advocates for Statesian patriotism.<ref name=":0">See [[Library:Superpatriotism#Real Patriotism|this chapter]] of his 2004 book ''[[Library:Superpatriotism|Superpatriotism]]'' in which he advocates for "real patriotism" in the United States, as opposed to the "Superpatriotism" of the ruling class.</ref>  


Parenti condemns [[anti-Americanism]] and the desecration of Statesian [[National symbol|national symbols]], arguing that it alienates the Statesian people and allows US leaders to brand all opposition as "anti-American".<ref name=":1">Parenti, "Super Patriotism vs Real Patriotism".</ref> He labels it a "mistake" to blame the United States for what was being done in its name,<ref>Parenti, ''Superpatriotism''. [[Library:Superpatriotism#America—Love It or Leave It|''America—Love It or Leave It'']]. p. 14.</ref> even though the US state is intrinsically linked to those things. Furthermore, he attributes the hatred of the US by many people in the [[New Left]] to its supposed "[[Anarchism|anarchist]] tendencies", noting that anarchists likewise view the state as the problem rather than the class it serves.<ref name=":1" />
Parenti condemns [[anti-Americanism]] and the desecration of Statesian [[National symbol|national symbols]], arguing that it alienates the Statesian people and allows US leaders to brand all opposition as "anti-American".<ref name=":1">Parenti, "Super Patriotism vs Real Patriotism".</ref> He calls it a "mistake" to blame the United States for what was being done in its name,<ref>Parenti, ''Superpatriotism''. [[Library:Superpatriotism#America—Love It or Leave It|''America—Love It or Leave It'']]. p. 14.</ref> even when the country is intrinsically linked to those things. Furthermore, he attributes the hatred of the US by many people in the [[New Left]] to its supposed "[[Anarchism|anarchist]] tendencies", noting that anarchists likewise view the state as the problem rather than the class it serves.<ref name=":1" />


Parenti tries to distinguish between the [[Jingoism|jingoistic]], [[Chauvinism|chauvinistic]], [[Imperialism|imperialistic]] [[patriotism]] of the ruling class (which he dubs "Superpatriotism") and his brand of "real patriotism". According to him, the "superpatriots" don't actually love their country, [[History of the United States|its history]], [[Statesians|its people]], [[Statesian culture|its culture]], the [[environment]], or any of its supposed virtues ([[freedom]], democracy, or economic opportunity). To them, "America is a simplified ideological abstraction, an emotive symbol represented by other abstract symbols like the flag."<ref>Parenti, ''Superpatriotism.'' [[Library:Superpatriotism#What Does it Mean to Love Our Country?|What Does it Mean to Love Our Country?]] p. 9.</ref>  "Real patriots" by contrast, he writes, "care enough about their country to want to improve it." They find other things in their history to be proud of and champion other figures than the "superpatriots". "Real patriots" advocate for a different United States, a socialist United States by and for the people.<ref name=":0" /> What Parenti doesn't realise is that there is no other United States. [[Capitalism]], [[colonialism]], and imperialism are intrinsic to the United States, and trying to remedy these issues would mean the death of the US.  
Parenti tries to distinguish between the [[Jingoism|jingoistic]], [[Chauvinism|chauvinistic]], [[Imperialism|imperialistic]] [[patriotism]] of the ruling class which he dubs "superpatriotism" and his brand of "real patriotism". According to him, the "superpatriots" don't actually love their country, [[History of the United States|its history]], [[Statesians|its people]], [[Statesian culture|its culture]], or any of its supposed virtues ([[freedom]], democracy, or economic opportunity). To them, "America is a simplified ideological abstraction, an emotive symbol represented by other abstract symbols like the flag."<ref>Parenti, ''Superpatriotism.'' [[Library:Superpatriotism#What Does it Mean to Love Our Country?|What Does it Mean to Love Our Country?]] p. 9.</ref>  "Real patriots" by contrast, he writes, "care enough about their country to want to improve it." They find other things in their history to be proud of than the "superpatriots" and champion other figures. "Real patriots" advocate for a different United States, a United States by and for the Statesian people.<ref name=":0" /> What Parenti doesn't realise is that there is no other United States. [[Capitalism]], [[colonialism]], and imperialism are intrinsic to the United States, and trying to remedy these issues would mean the death of the nation.  


Parenti does not glorify the [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]] or leaders such as [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Delano Roosevelt]]. He argues that Statesian rulers, who overwhelmingly come from wealthy, affluent, propertied backgrounds, actually opposed [[Democracy|democratic rule]], and that many of their supposed "achievements" such as the [[Constitution of the United States|Constitution]], the [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]], the reduction of [[child labour]], and the [[New Deal]] came in whole or in part as a reluctant concession from the [[ruling class]] in light of popular agitation.<ref>Michael Parenti (2011).: [[Library:Democracy for the Few|''Democracy for the Few'']]. 9th ed. [[Cengage Learning]]. pp. 5–16, 21, 25.</ref>  
Unlike many other patriotic socialists, Parenti does not glorify the [[Founding Fathers of the United States|Founding Fathers]] or figures such as [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Delano Roosevelt]]. He argues that those rulers, who overwhelmingly came from wealthy, affluent, propertied backgrounds, actually opposed [[Democracy|democratic rule]], and that many of their supposed "achievements", such as the [[Constitution of the United States|Constitution]], the [[United States Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]], the reduction of [[child labour]], and the [[New Deal]], came in whole or in part as reluctant concessions from the [[ruling class]] in light of popular agitation.<ref>Michael Parenti (2011).: [[Library:Democracy for the Few|''Democracy for the Few'']]. 9th ed. [[Cengage Learning]]. pp. 5–16, 21, 25.</ref>  


== Library works by Michael Parenti ==
== Library works by Michael Parenti ==

Latest revision as of 18:51, 4 November 2024

Michael Parenti
Born (1933-09-30) September 30, 1933 (age 91)
New York City, New York, United States
NationalityStatesian
Political orientationAnti-imperialism
Communism
Patriotic socialism
Political partyLiberty Union Party (1974)
Website
https://www.michael-parenti.org


Michael John Parenti (born September 30, 1933) is a Statesian political scientist, academic historian and cultural critic who wrote on scholarly and popular subjects. He taught at US and international universities and was a guest lecturer before campus and community audiences. Michael Parenti is the father of Christian Parenti.

Parenti's writings covered a wide range of subjects: U.S. politics, culture, ideology, political economy, imperialism, fascism, communism, democratic socialism, free-market orthodoxies, conservative judicial activism, religion, ancient history, modern history, historiography, repression in academia, news and entertainment media, technology, environmentalism, sexism, racism, Venezuela, the wars in Iraq and Yugoslavia, ethnicity, and his own early life.[1][2][3]

In 1974, Parenti ran in Vermont on the democratic socialist Liberty Union Party ticket for U.S. Congress and received 7.1% of the vote.[4][5] This run was done with Bernie Sanders who at the time was friends with Parenti. This friendship ended when NATO waged war on Yugoslavia. While Bernie stood with the imperialists, Parenti stood with the anti-imperialists.[6]

Political views[edit | edit source]

Patriotic socialism[edit | edit source]

Parenti is a Statesian patriot.[7] While he is very critical of Statesian policy (both domestic and foreign), while he acknowledges that the United States has always been imperialist since its very inception,[8] and while he criticises the patriotism of the ruling class, he nonetheless upholds the existence of the United States and advocates for Statesian patriotism.[9]

Parenti condemns anti-Americanism and the desecration of Statesian national symbols, arguing that it alienates the Statesian people and allows US leaders to brand all opposition as "anti-American".[10] He calls it a "mistake" to blame the United States for what was being done in its name,[11] even when the country is intrinsically linked to those things. Furthermore, he attributes the hatred of the US by many people in the New Left to its supposed "anarchist tendencies", noting that anarchists likewise view the state as the problem rather than the class it serves.[10]

Parenti tries to distinguish between the jingoistic, chauvinistic, imperialistic patriotism of the ruling class which he dubs "superpatriotism" and his brand of "real patriotism". According to him, the "superpatriots" don't actually love their country, its history, its people, its culture, or any of its supposed virtues (freedom, democracy, or economic opportunity). To them, "America is a simplified ideological abstraction, an emotive symbol represented by other abstract symbols like the flag."[12] "Real patriots" by contrast, he writes, "care enough about their country to want to improve it." They find other things in their history to be proud of than the "superpatriots" and champion other figures. "Real patriots" advocate for a different United States, a United States by and for the Statesian people.[9] What Parenti doesn't realise is that there is no other United States. Capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism are intrinsic to the United States, and trying to remedy these issues would mean the death of the nation.

Unlike many other patriotic socialists, Parenti does not glorify the Founding Fathers or figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He argues that those rulers, who overwhelmingly came from wealthy, affluent, propertied backgrounds, actually opposed democratic rule, and that many of their supposed "achievements", such as the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the reduction of child labour, and the New Deal, came in whole or in part as reluctant concessions from the ruling class in light of popular agitation.[13]

Library works by Michael Parenti[edit | edit source]

This article has yet to be finished. Despite the amount of information available, this article is nowhere near complete. Feel free to check in every now and then to see the new updates.

Articles[edit | edit source]

Books[edit | edit source]

Interviews[edit | edit source]

Journal articles[edit | edit source]

Letters[edit | edit source]

Magazine articles[edit | edit source]

Newspaper articles[edit | edit source]

Speeches[edit | edit source]

Misc[edit | edit source]

Recordings[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Articles and Other Published Selections". Archived from the original on 26 October 2007.
  2. ↑ Michael Parenti (2007). Contrary Notions: The Michael Parenti Reader (p. 403). City Lights Books. ISBN 978-0-87286-482-5
  3. ↑ "Books by Michael Parenti".
  4. ↑ "Elections Results Archive". VT Elections Database.
  5. ↑ Bernie Sanders (1997). Outsider in the House: 'You Have to Begin Somewhere'.
  6. ↑ "Michael Parenti on Bernie Sanders".
  7. ↑ Parenti personally identifies as a patriot:

    Now, in contrast to the superpatriots—it begins to brighten here. I'm almost finished—[in] contrast to the superpatriots are the real patriots. We who, for instance, don't want to see the good name of our nation [the United States] sullied.

    AfroMarxist (2020-04-11).: "Michael Parenti: 'Super Patriotism vs Real Patriotism' (1988)". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
  8. ↑

    The history of the United States has been one of territorial, commercial, and military expansion.
    [...]
    As our common reading of history would have it, [...] the United States apparently developed a mighty empire while never being sullied by imperialistic practices. If imperialism is admitted, it is most often described as a kind of momentary lapse occurring sometime between the Spanish-American War and Theodore Roosevelt's "big stick" policy.
    In reality, from the very beginning of its history, the nation suffered quite overtly from expansionist pangs.

    Michael Parenti (1969).: The Anti-Communist Impulse. Random House. CHAPTER SIX - Virtue Faces the World. p. 104.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 See this chapter of his 2004 book Superpatriotism in which he advocates for "real patriotism" in the United States, as opposed to the "Superpatriotism" of the ruling class.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Parenti, "Super Patriotism vs Real Patriotism".
  11. ↑ Parenti, Superpatriotism. America—Love It or Leave It. p. 14.
  12. ↑ Parenti, Superpatriotism. What Does it Mean to Love Our Country? p. 9.
  13. ↑ Michael Parenti (2011).: Democracy for the Few. 9th ed. Cengage Learning. pp. 5–16, 21, 25.
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