On McCarthy and the Spectre

READERS or DISSENT are probably as tired as everyone else of analyses of McCarthy. This note is offered for only one reason—to say a word on the continuing fears of a “McCarthy movement.” A close look at contemporary America discloses no potential for any such mass movement (unless, of course, there is a serious depression or an international catastrophe, in which case “all bets are off”).

A large proportion of the population (whatever the actual figure) is, u...