Title: Exploring “The Naked Communist” by Cleon Skousen: A Cold War Classic
Introduction
“The Naked Communist,” written by W. Cleon Skousen and first published in 1958, stands as one of the most influential yet controversial books concerning the Cold War era’s anti-communist sentiment in the United States. This work, which sold nearly two million copies by 2017, has been both celebrated and critiqued for its detailed exposition of communist ideology and its perceived infiltration into American society.
Who Was Cleon Skousen?
Willard Cleon Skousen (1913-2006) was a multifaceted figure known for his roles as an FBI agent, a police chief, and a prolific author on political theory and history. His conservative stance, particularly against communism, was deeply shaped by his experiences and readings, leading him to write extensively on what he saw as threats to American freedom and constitutional principles.
Overview of “The Naked Communist”
“The Naked Communist” is essentially an anti-communist manifesto, structured to educate readers about:
- The History and Philosophy of Communism: Skousen delves into the ideological foundations laid by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, extending through the practices of Lenin, Stalin, and Mao Zedong. He portrays communism as a monolithic, evil force with a clear agenda for world domination.
- Communist Tactics: The book outlines what Skousen describes as the subtle and overt strategies communists use to undermine democratic societies. These include infiltration into cultural, educational, and political institutions, and the manipulation of public opinion.
- The 45 Communist Goals: Perhaps the most infamous part of the book, Skousen lists 45 supposed goals of communists to destabilize and take over America, which were later read into the Congressional Record in 1963. These goals range from capturing political parties to influencing education and media.
- Case Studies: Skousen uses examples like the Alger Hiss case, the infiltration of Hollywood, and the actions of Soviet spies to illustrate his points. He also discusses the Korean War and other geopolitical events through the lens of communist machinations.
Impact and Reception
- Cultural and Political Influence: The book significantly influenced American conservative thought, especially during the Cold War. It was praised by figures like President Ronald Reagan and J. Edgar Hoover. Its analysis of communism’s goals has been referenced by later conservative commentators like Glenn Beck and Ben Carson, who see many of these goals as having been realized today.
- Criticism: Critics argue that Skousen’s work is steeped in conspiracy theories and lacks academic rigor. The broad strokes with which he paints communism and its adherents are seen by some as fear-mongering or oversimplification. There’s also contention about the empirical basis for his listed “45 goals,” with some seeing them as more reflective of Cold War paranoia than actual Soviet strategy.
- Modern Relevance: Despite its age, “The Naked Communist” is still cited in discussions about current political movements, especially those perceived as socialist or progressive. It’s often invoked in debates over cultural changes, government overreach, and the erosion of traditional values.
Legacy
“The Naked Communist” has left a lasting imprint on American political discourse, particularly within conservative circles. Its warnings about the subversion of American institutions by foreign ideologies continue to echo in discussions about national security, cultural Marxism, and the preservation of American identity. However, its approach has also sparked a necessary dialogue on the dangers of oversimplifying complex political ideologies and the importance of historical context in understanding global political movements.
Conclusion
While “The Naked Communist” by Cleon Skousen is often viewed through the lens of its time, its impact on American political thought cannot be understated. It serves as both a historical artifact of Cold War anxieties and a continuing source of debate in understanding the nature of political ideologies, freedom, and security. Whether seen as an insightful warning or an exaggerated critique, it undeniably shaped how many Americans viewed communism and continues to influence discussions on freedom, government, and cultural integrity.
The 45 Goals
Title: Unpacking the 45 Communist Goals from “The Naked Communist”
Introduction
“The Naked Communist,” authored by W. Cleon Skousen in 1958, became a seminal text in the realm of American anti-communist literature during the Cold War. One of its most notable sections is the enumeration of 45 goals allegedly pursued by communists to undermine and eventually control the United States. These goals, which were read into the U.S. Congressional Record on January 10, 1963, by Congressman Albert S. Herlong Jr., have since been a focal point for discussions on cultural shifts, political ideologies, and the perceived threats to American values. Here, we explore these goals, their implications, and their relevance in contemporary discourse.
Background of “The Naked Communist”
Skousen, a former FBI agent and conservative scholar, crafted his book at the peak of Cold War tensions, aiming to alert the public to what he saw as a covert communist agenda. His work was influenced by his experiences and observations of communist activities, particularly in the U.S., and aimed to strip communism of its supposed mystique to reveal its “naked” intentions.
The 45 Goals
Here’s a thematic breakdown of the 45 goals as outlined by Skousen:
- Cultural Subversion (Goals 17-25): These goals involve infiltrating educational systems, media, and cultural institutions to sway public opinion towards communism. Examples include capturing one or both political parties, using student riots to foment public protest, and discrediting the American Constitution by calling it inadequate or outdated.
- Economic Manipulation (Goals 14-16, 26-32): Skousen suggests communists aim to create economic instability by promoting high taxes, deficit spending, and government control over wages and prices. The objective is to foster a dependency on government, thereby weakening the free market system.
- Political Influence (Goals 1-13): These goals focus on weakening U.S. resolve against communism through policies like accepting coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war, promoting disarmament as a sign of moral strength, and supporting communist regimes internationally.
- Social Disruption (Goals 33-41): Goals here include undermining the family unit, promoting promiscuity, and weakening religious institutions, aiming to erode traditional moral foundations.
- Global and Legal Maneuvering (Goals 42-45): These involve international strategies like supporting communist regimes in the UN, attacking the status of the U.S. in global affairs, and altering legal systems to favor communist ideologies.
Impact and Reception
- Cultural and Political Influence: The list has been notably influential among conservative circles, often cited in discussions about the perceived “cultural Marxism” or the “long march through the institutions.” Figures like Glenn Beck and Ben Carson have referenced these goals, arguing that many have indeed been realized in modern society.
- Criticism: Critics argue that Skousen’s list reflects more of the era’s anti-communist hysteria than a factual assessment of communist strategy. The goals are seen by some as overly broad, speculative, and lacking in direct evidence linking them to actual Soviet policy or modern political movements.
- Modern Relevance: Today, these goals are often invoked in debates over education policy, cultural changes, and political strategies. Critics of progressive movements might use them to argue that certain policies or cultural shifts align with these historical goals, though this interpretation is contentious.
Legacy and Contemporary Use
The 45 goals have transcended their original context to become a touchstone for those wary of ideological shifts in American society. They are frequently cited in right-wing literature and discussions, often as evidence of a long-term cultural war against traditional American values. However, their use in modern political discourse also invites skepticism about whether they truly reflect contemporary political strategies or if they are more a relic of Cold War paranoia.
Conclusion
The 45 Communist Goals from “The Naked Communist” serve as a historical snapshot of the fears and political climate of Cold War America. While they were once used to rally support against perceived communist infiltration, today they are part of a broader conversation about the direction of American culture, politics, and the ongoing debate over the role of government in society. Whether one sees these goals as prophetic, paranoid, or a mix of both, they undeniably contribute to the narrative of vigilance against ideologies perceived as threats to American freedom and identity.
Communist Infiltration Tactics
Communist infiltration tactics refer to strategies historically employed by communist parties or organizations to gain influence or control over institutions, societies, or governments. These tactics have been discussed extensively in the context of the Cold War, particularly in the United States, where fears of communist influence shaped political discourse. Here’s an analysis of some key tactics based on historical practices and literature:
1. Entryism
- Definition: Entryism involves members of a political group joining another larger, often more moderate or influential group, to influence or eventually take over its direction from within.
- Examples:
- In the U.S., this was allegedly practiced by communists trying to influence trade unions, political parties, or cultural organizations.
- The “French Turn” strategy advocated by Leon Trotsky in the 1930s suggested that Trotskyists enter social democratic parties to steer them towards revolutionary socialism.
- In Australia, during the 1950s, there were claims of communist infiltration into trade unions, leading to the formation of the Democratic Labor Party by those opposing this influence.
2. Cultural and Educational Influence
- Strategy: Infiltrating educational systems, media, and cultural institutions to shape public opinion, ideology, and youth movements.
- Tactics:
- In Education: Encouraging or promoting curricula that align with communist ideologies or fostering sympathetic student movements.
- Media: Influencing or taking over media outlets to control narratives, as claimed in discussions about Hollywood in the era of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).
- Public Opinion: Using art, literature, and entertainment to subtly promote communist ideas, often through the guise of social justice or progressive movements.
3. Political Subversion
- Approach: Working within political systems to sway policy, weaken democratic structures, or promote policies that could destabilize the status quo in favor of communist objectives.
- Methods:
- Infiltration of Political Parties: Allegedly, communists would join and work within major political parties to push their agenda, as suggested in “The Naked Communist” by Cleon Skousen.
- Legislative Influence: Advocating for policies that could lead to economic dependency on government or social division, thereby creating conditions ripe for communist ideology to take root.
4. Economic Tactics
- Goal: To destabilize capitalist economies or create conditions for a socialist or communist economic system to be seen as a viable alternative.
- Actions:
- Promoting Economic Policies: Encouraging high taxation, government control of key industries, or other policies that might lead to economic instability or reliance on government solutions.
- Trade Union Activities: Using unions not just for workers’ rights but as platforms for broader socialist agitation.
5. Intelligence and Espionage
- Objective: To gather intelligence, influence decision-making, or disrupt operations.
- Examples:
6. Psychological Warfare and Propaganda
- Tactics:
- Spreading disinformation, creating or exacerbating social divisions, or promoting narratives that align with communist ideologies.
- The use of “agitprop” (agitation and propaganda) to influence public opinion, often through seemingly benign cultural or political activism.
Modern Context and Criticism
- Current Discussions: Similar tactics are sometimes cited in modern debates about ideological shifts in institutions, often under the guise of “cultural Marxism” or “woke” culture, though these terms are highly debated and politicized.
- Criticism: Much of the discussion around these tactics can be seen as part of broader political rhetoric, with accusations of communist infiltration often lacking concrete evidence, reflecting more the fears of the accuser than actual subversive activities.
In summary, while these tactics have historical precedence, the narrative around communist infiltration often involves a significant degree of speculation, paranoia, and political maneuvering. The exact impact and extent of these tactics are subjects of considerable debate and require careful consideration of historical context and evidence.