Abstract
This essay discusses a paradigm shift in recent scholarship on modern antisemitism. Historians and sociologists tend to replace crisis theories and scapegoat theories of social history with culturalist explanations of antisemitic discourse. The result is a deeper understanding of emotions, language, ideologies, imagery, and actions that did not serve any purpose other than the hatred of Jews. However, the new paradigm fails to explain why antisemitism emerged and why it was – or was not – successful. Culturalist approaches simply repeat the reasons antisemites gave for their behavior: religion, nationalism, racism, feelings of envy or guilt. The perspectives of Jews and opponents of antisemitism is rarely part of the narrative.
Published Version
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