When America Was Great: The Fighting Faith of Liberalism in Post-War America

by Mattson; Kevin

• ISBN13: 9780415947756
• ISBN10: 0415947758
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 10/4/2004
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

In the midst of Eisenhower's America, at the peak of the Cold War, a movement of public intellectuals defined a pragmatic liberal vision for America that is more relevant today than ever before. A sweeping intellectual history that will make us rethink postwar politics and culture,When America Was Greatprofiles 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 naive or sentimental "bleeding hearts," they had a tough-minded and nuanced vision that stressed both human limitations andhope. They felt America should stand for something more than just a strong economy. When America WasGreatenvisions a bright liberal future for America grounded in the best of our past. A past that is in danger of being forgotten, but one that we would do well to remember and learn from.

Author Biography

Kevin Mattson is Connor Study Professor of Contemporary History at Ohio University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	1	(25)
Endings and Beginnings
Characters	26	(26)
The Unspoken Virtues of Liberalism
Enemies	52	(34)
The Integrity of Liberal Anticommunism
Values	86	(24)
The Pay-Offs and Problems of Pluralism
Loves	110	(30)
The Nation as Beloved Community
Hopes	140	(32)
Liberalism and the Quality of Public Life
Tragedies and Conclusions	172	(9)
Notes	181	(39)
Index	220