Politics and the English Language
by George Orwell, Zinc Read
ISBN 13: 978-9358075236
Book description

In the essay, Orwell argues that the English language has become corrupted by political and economic pressures and that this corruption has had a negative impact on clarity and communication. Orwell begins the essay by noting that language is often used as a tool of power and that politicians and bureaucrats often use vague, abstract language to obscure their true intentions and manipulate public opinion. He argues that this kind of language not only makes it difficult to understand what is being said, but also contributes to a broader decline in critical thinking and clear expression. Orwell goes on to outline a number of examples of the kinds of language that he believes are particularly problematic, including the use of clichés, meaningless words and phrases, and euphemisms. He also argues that the decline of language is closely tied to the decline of democracy, since clear communication is essential for informed public discourse. Despite being written nearly 80 years ago, "Politics and the English Language" remains a relevant and insightful critique of the ways in which language can be manipulated for political ends. It is often cited as one of Orwell's most important essays and is considered a classic of political and linguistic analysis.


Recommended on 2 episodes:

Are Democrats Whistling Past the Graveyard?
A New York Times and Siena College poll released Nov. 5 showed Donald Trump leading Joe Biden in five of the six key swing states, with a notable jump in support among nonwhite and young voters. In response, Democrats freaked out. But then two days later, voters across the country actually went to the polls, and Democrats and Democratic-associated policy did pretty well. In Kentucky, Andy Beshear held the governorship. Democrats took back the House of Delegates in Virginia. And Ohio voted for an amendment protecting abortion rights. I asked Mike Podhorzer, a longtime poll skeptic, to help me understand the apparent gap between the polls and the ballot box. Podhorzer was the longtime political director of the A.F.L.-C.I.O. And as the founder of the Analyst Institute, he was the godfather of the data-driven turn in Democratic campaign strategy. He also writes a newsletter on these topics called “Weekend Reading.” We discuss the underlying assumptions behind polling methodologies and what that says about their results; how to square Biden’s unpopularity with the Democrats’ recent wins; why he thinks an anti-MAGA majority is Biden’s best bet to the White House and how that coalition doesn’t always map cleanly onto demographic data; what a newly energized labor movement might means for Biden; and much more.
Mike Podhorzer Nov. 14, 2023 3 books recommended
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by @zachbellay