Herbert David Croly

Broschiertes Buch

The Promise of American Life

Beschreibung

Herbert David Croly (January 23, 1869 - May 17, 1930) was an intellectual leader of the progressive movement as an editor, and political philosopher and a co-founder of the magazine The New Republic in early twentieth-century America. His political philosophy influenced many leading progressives including Theodore Roosevelt, as well as his close friends Judge Learned Hand and Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter. His book, The Promise of American Life (1909), looked to the conservative spirit of effective government as espoused by Alexander Hamilton, combined with the democracy of Thomas Jefferson. The book was one of the most influential books in American political history, shaping the ideas of many intellectuals and political leaders. It also influenced the later New Deal. Calling themselves "the new nationalists," Croly and Walter Weyl sought to remedy the relatively weak national institutions with a strong federal government. He actively promoted a strong army and navy and attacked pacifists who thought democracy at home and peace abroad was best served by keeping America weak. In The Promise of American Life, Herbert Croly set out his argument for a progressive-liberal government in twentieth-century America. He saw democracy as the defining American trait and described democracy not as a government devoted to equal rights but as one with the aim of "bestowing a share of the responsibility and the benefits, derived from political economic association, upon the whole community." He returned to Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton as representatives of the two main schools of American political thought. Croly famously admitted, "I shall not disguise the fact that on the whole my own preferences are on the side of Hamilton rather than of Jefferson." Despite his preference for Hamilton, Croly believed there were some good aspects about Jefferson's philosophy on government. He wrote, "Jefferson was filled with a sincere, indiscriminate, and unlimited faith in the American people." However, Croly viewed Jeffersonian democracy as "tantamount to extreme individualism," suitable only for pre-Civil War America when the ideal Americans were pioneers pursuing individual wealth. Croly's largest contribution to American political thought was to synthesize the two thinkers into one theory on government: Jefferson's strong democracy achieved through Hamilton's strong national government. (wikipedia.org)

Autor

Herbert David Croly (1869-1930) was an American political thinker, journalist and author, best known for his influential contributions to political theory and progressive thought. Born on January 9, 1869, in New York City, Croly was educated at Harvard University, where he developed his ideas about politics and society. Croly's most notable work, The Promise of American Life (1909), is a seminal text that articulates his vision of American progressivism. In this book, he argues for a reformed approach to governance and public policy, advocating for the Progressive movement's goals of economic reform and social justice. Croly's analysis highlights the need for a more active role of government in regulating economic and social life to ensure broader prosperity and equality. Croly's ideas were influential in shaping American political discourse in the early 20th century, particularly in advocating for a balanced and proactive role of government in addressing social and economic issues. His work laid important groundwork for later developments in American progressive politics. Herbert David Croly passed away on September 17, 1930, but his contributions to political theory and progressive thought continue to be recognized and studied for their impact on American political and social reform.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Bibliotech Press
• Seitenzahl: 340
• Erscheinungstermin: 27. Juni 2014
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 229mm x 152mm x 20mm
• Gewicht: 553g
• ISBN-13: 9781618951885
• ISBN-10: 1618951882
• Artikelnr.: 41200330