An Analysis of Charles Krauthammer Opinion Piece on The "The New Conventional Wisdom on 9/11" Using Asyndetons, Telegraphic Sentences and Loaded Words, Rhetorical Questions and Historical Allusions
from literature, film and theater, etc
Charles Krauthammer was a renowned American psychiatrist, author, political commentator, and Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist He was born in New York City in 1950 and attended McGill University, majoring in political science, before transitioning to Harvard Medical School to become a psychiatrist.
Krauthammer’s first major impact on the public’s perception of politics came when he served as a speechwriter for Vice President Walter Mondale. From there, he began to write essays and op-eds for various publications, such as The New Republic, and he eventually established himself as a widely respected political theorist. He wrote over five hundred columns for The Washington Post, penned six books, and won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 1987.
Krauthammer was known for his views on the importance of order and balance within political discourse. He argued that the “Realist” school of international relations, which emphasizes the importance of power, self-interest, and counter-balancing forces, should be employed to keep the international system in equilibrium. He also promoted a more traditional form of conservatism that embraced an “American-led internationalism” and favored the use of military force in certain cases.
Krauthammer’s writings and opinions have greatly influenced literature, film, and theater. Here are five of the best examples of his influence:
1. The West Wing (TV Series). The hit television series The West Wing was heavily influenced by Krauthammer’s philosophy of order and balance in politics. The show was praised for its realistic depiction of White House operations and its exploration of the internal tensions between morality and power in the political system.
2. The Ides of March (Film). The 2011 film The Ides of March, which starred Ryan Gosling and George Clooney, was based on the play Farragut North, which was heavily influenced by Krauthammer’s writings. The film explores a young political strategist’s journey to becoming a ruthless political operator.
3. Political Theory (Textbook). Political Theory: A Very Short Introduction, a widely used textbook in political science classes, includes a section dedicated to Krauthammer’s views on international relations. It is regarded as a highly accessible introduction to his work.
4. All the King’s Men (Novel). Robert Penn Warren’s 1946 novel All the King’s Men was inspired by Krauthammer’s writings on power and morality. The story follows a young man’s quest for power in Depression-era America, and explores the tensions between idealism and reality within the political system.
5. Oslo (Play). J.T. Rogers’ acclaimed 2017 play Oslo was inspired by Krauthammer’s theories on diplomacy and international relations. The play follows the story of a Norwegian diplomat’s secret negotiations with Israel and Palestine, which eventually led to the signing of the historic Oslo Accords in 1993.