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Leo Strauss and the American Right
Shadia B Drury

First published in 1997, Shadia Drury's book is an examination of the influence of Leo Strauss (1899-1973) on American politics and in particular on the "neo-conservative" group who (since the book was published) have become the "new rulers of the world".

She outlines Strauss's belief in the rule of an elite who would make use of "noble lies" to maintain their position and power. An atheist himself, Strauss believed in the necessity of religion and nationalism as instruments of social control.

The relevance to recent events is clear: in articles and interviews since, Drury makes explicit her view that the willingness of the present US administration to engage in such clear and blatant deceit in the pursuit of its ends is related to the strong influence of Straussian ideas on some of its leading members.


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