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The Pied Pipers of Pluralism

Song and Verse During the XYZ Affair

By Geoff Ralston | comments |

Vol. 4 no. 1 (Fall/Winter 2008/09)

Song and verse hold an important position in the realm of political discourse. When complicated oration and partisan pandering fail to inspire the public conscience, rhymes and prose influence political opinion by disseminating ideas through a popular medium. Unlike books or newspapers, poetry exchanged through pamphlets or by word of mouth can reach large numbers of people in community meetings, social gatherings, and even in the streets. During the XYZ Affair of 1797-98, hostile relations with the French Directory following a diplomatic fiasco threatened the stability of the new republic. With a possible war between the United States and France looming on the horizon, anti-French songs invoked imagery of patriotic revolutionary struggle to support the pro-British Federalists. Conversely, pro-French poetry decried the trappings of blind patriotism and supported the ideals of the pro-French Democratic-Republicans. This piece explores several of these songs and poems and their role in disguising partisan rhetoric in the form of attractive alternatives to open attacks against political opponents. In an age before overt political partisanship, song and verse distilled party platforms into easily recited poetry, a tradition that continues to the present day.

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Entering a Post-Bush/Post-Katrina Era?

By the editors | comments |

Vol. 4 no. 1 (Fall/Winter 2008/09)

According to most, The Bush era is over. The election of Obama has spelled the undeniable downfall of neo-conservativism as a legitimate ideological position, shattering its ready access to apparatuses of the U.S. government and economy. The systemic failure of de-regulated privatization, the defeat of key political strategists in the John McCain camp, the faltering of American military and economic power in the Middle East and the near collapse of a hegemonic, American-centric global economic system have all contributed to an almost palpable sense that these are changing times. But is this truly a post-Bush era? And if so, exactly what does that mean for Americans, the U.S. and, just as importantly, the world?

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