Arguing the World

Arguing the World is a compelling, thoughtful, and engaging documentary film released in 1997. At its core, it is an intellectual history of the twentieth century, but its narrative is uniquely told through the personal stories and ideological debates of four influential thinkers – Daniel Bell, Nathan Glazer, Irving Howe, and Irving Kristol.

The film opens with the early life of the four protagonists who all hailed from an impoverished Jewish, immigrant background. They met in the 1930s at the City College of New York, a hub of fierce intellectual debates and political radicalism. Their political consciousness was shaped in these heady debates, and though they started as student comrades with Marxist convictions, the four friends would evolve remarkably divergent political philosophies.

Their intellectual journeys spanned the tumultuous events of the twentieth century. Daniel Bell, later a renowned sociologist, was an ardent critic of unbridled capitalism, viewing it as corrosive to social cohesion. Nathan Glazer, on the other hand, was a sociologist and co-author of The Lonely Crowd, who later in his career, questioned the effectiveness of affirmative action and social policy interventions. Irving Howe was a literary critic and leading figure of Democratic Socialists in America, who remained committed to leftist politics throughout his life, championing social justice and economic equality. Finally, Irving Kristol, the self-proclaimed "godfather" of neoconservatism, argued for limited government intervention and championed free-market principles.

Through extensive footage, interviews, and rich archival material, the documentary traces the development of these men's ideas, their public disagreements, and evolving friendships. Arguing the World pays homage to a time of intense intellectual and political debate, a time when ideas mattered, when the written word wielded power, and cliques of intellectuals significantly influenced American politics.

The documentary not only narrates the transformation of these men's ideologies but also chronicles the changing political landscape of America. From McCarthyism in the fifties, civil rights, and the tumult of the sixties, to the liberal crisis in the seventies and the subsequent conservative resurgence, these four intellectuals deeply engaged with, and attempted to shape, their times. They grappled with, questioned, and took a position on most of the significant social and political issues of their time. It captures how they were not just bystanders, but active participants in the vital debates and social movements of their time.

The film's brilliance stems from its ability to weave the larger historical events with the personal narratives of the protagonists. It examines how personal dynamics, historical circumstances, and intellectual temperaments shaped the ideology and political stance of these men. It highlights how friendships were strained by intellectual disagreements and how one's thinking is invariably shaped by the zeitgeist.

Joseph Dorman, who directed and wrote Arguing the World, has notably managed to convey the nuances of complex ideas and ideological debates in a manner that is accessible to non-scholars. The film's strength lies in its depth, subtlety, and nuanced portrayal of both individuals and ideas.

Beyond the ideologies and debates, Arguing the World is also a portrait of an unlikely friendship among four brilliant minds. It captures the sparks when great intellects clash and the warmth and respect underlying their lifelong association. Despite their ideological divergence, they developed a bond forged out of intellectual prowess, mutual respect, and shared beginnings. The film evocatively captures their camaraderie, melancholy, and the collective impact they had on American political thought.

From an artistically cinematic perspective, Arguing the World shies away from sensationalism. It employs a slow-paced and detailed style that deepens the engagement with the protagonists and their narratives. It's a film of quiet but profound observations, wrapped in an astonishing time-lapse of American history and intellectual discourse.

In conclusion, Arguing the World presents a moving collage of debates about America's political direction and societal issues through the eyes and lives of four iconic intellectuals. Each viewer is likely to take away something different from the film, and that's part of its charm. Arguing the World is a vivid depiction of an intellectually vibrant era and a testament to the power of ideas in shaping political discourse and society.