When America Was Great: The Fighting Faith of Liberalism in Post-War America
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Author Description
A sweeping intellectual history that will make us rethink postwar politics and culture, When America Was Great profiles the thinkers and writers who crafted a new American liberal tradition in a conservative era -- from historians Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and C. Vann Woodward, to economist John Kenneth Galbraith and theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. A compelling tale that will redefine the word "liberal" for a new generation, Mattson retraces the intellectual journey of these towering figures. They served in the Second World War. They opposed communism but also wanted to make America's poor visible to the affluent society. Contrary to those who characterize liberals as naïve or sentimental "bleeding hearts," they had a tough-minded and nuanced vision that stressed both human limitations and hope. They felt America should stand for something more than just a strong economy.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the intellectual origins and moral framework of post-war American liberalism to challenge contemporary misconceptions about the movement. Kevin Mattson, a historian specializing in American political culture, examines the lives and writings of key figures such as Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., C. Vann Woodward, John Kenneth Galbraith, and Reinhold Niebuhr. By analyzing their wartime experiences and subsequent intellectual contributions, Mattson argues that these thinkers possessed a rigorous, nuanced philosophy that balanced an awareness of human fallibility with a commitment to social justice and democratic progress.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- An analysis of post-war American political thought and the evolution of liberal ideology.
- Profiles of influential intellectuals including historians, economists, and theologians.
- A historical examination of the intersection between Cold War anti-communism and domestic social policy.
- A re-evaluation of the 'tough-minded' nature of mid-century liberal philosophy versus modern caricatures.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and historians recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of mid-century American political thought. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the author's success in humanizing complex intellectual figures.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
2005-01-01
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis Group
ISBN-10:
0203021045
ISBN-13:
9780203021040
History
American History
Liberalism
Intellectual History
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