Paranoid Style

Paranoid style is a term used to describe a political paranoia brought upon by intense
expressions exaggeration, suspicion, and conspiratorial fantasy. It a word used to describe a form
of self-expression and view of the world fueled by the feeling of persecution at the center and is
systemized in ambitious conspiracy theories. Unlike the clinical term paranoia, paranoid style is
fueled by someone or a group of people who feel like something is being directed specifically
against a nation, culture, or way of life that effects millions, not just a single person. A person
who follows this finds themselves to be fueled by political passions that they deem as unselfish
and patriotic and will go as far as to intensify their feelings of righteousness and moral
indignation.

An example of paranoid style is after the assassination of President Kennedy, there was a
large amount of publicity given to the bill that would tighten the federal controls over the sales of
firearms through the mail. When hearings were being held in Washington, three men drove 2,500
miles from Arizona to testify against it. One of the men used what might be considered as
paranoid arguments against it claiming that it was a way to further attempt to use power to make
people a part of one world socialistic government and that this bill threatened chaos and would
eventually help the U.S. enemies seize power. (Hofstadter, 5)

Bibliography
: Hofstadter, Richard. “The Paranoid Style in American Politics.” The Paranoid Style in American Politics and Other Essays, by Richard Hofstadter, Harvard University Press, 1967, pp. 3–5. : full source reference
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