Investigates the influence of images of Nazism on debates about sexuality that are central to contemporary American political rhetoric. By analysing an array of sources, the author describes a common rhetoric that emerged during the 1930s and 1940s as a means of distinguishing " democratic sexuality" from that ascribed to Nazi Germany.

Finally, she applies her analysis of wartime narratives to contemporary texts, examining anti-abortion, anti-gay, and anti-federal rhetoric, as well as the psychic life of skinheads, censorship debates, and the contemporary fascination with incest. An invaluable resource for understanding the language we use - both visual and narrative - to describe and debate democracy, "A Not So Foreign Affair" will appeal to those interested in cultural studies, film and video studies, American studies, twentieth century history, German studies, rhetoric, and sexuality studies.

Contents:
Introduction
Section One: The democratic family
"Nazi nationalist melodrama: Science, myth and paternal authority in Die Goldene Stadt"
"American nationalist melodrama: Tales of Hitler's Children"
"'Family values' and Naziana in contemporary right-wing media"
Section Two: The democratic psyche
"Nazism, psychology and the making of democratic subjects"
"The American Nazi: Cold War social problem films and national psychobiography"
"Skinheads, militiamen and the legacies of failed masculinity"
Section Three: Democratic sex
"The iconology of the sexy Nazi woman: Marlene Dietrich as political palimpsest"
"Sexualized Nazis and contemporary popular political culture"