Scoot Nearing: Critical Thinking in the Rise of the United States In the 20th Century

Abstract

American writer Scott Nearing remains virtually unknown to Spanish-speaking audiences, largely due to the limited availability of bibliographic references or translations of his work into Spanish. The aim of this article is to examine his prolific intellectual output during the early phase of his career, which corresponds to the first half of the twentieth century. The goal is to shed light on the main arguments he developed from within one of the leading powers of the so-called free world. Through a critical analysis of his writings, the article explores his positions on key political issues, such as the rise of communist and fascist totalitarian regimes, the ongoing racial segregation in the United States, the social and political role of women, the protection of children from the impact of capitalism, and the origins and devastating consequences of war. This review of his early thought allows us to reconstruct the critical visión Nearing held of American society during a historical period in which the country was emerging as a global superpower. His reflections also provide insight into the trajectory of a nation shaped by a culture of war and a deeply unequal racial structure, where the legacy of slavery continues to influence contemporary social dynamics despite progress in combating discrimination.