Synopses & Reviews
Although there have been many attempts to apply the ideas of psychoanalysis to political thought, this book is the first to identify the political project inherent in the fundamental tenets of psychoanalysis. And this political project, Todd McGowan contends, provides an avenue for emancipatory politics after the failure of Marxism in the twentieth century.
Where others seeking the political import of psychoanalysis have looked to Freuds early work on sexuality, McGowan focuses on Freuds discovery of the death drive and Jacques Lacans elaboration of this concept. He argues that the self-destruction occurring as a result of the death drive is the foundational act of emancipation around which we should construct our political philosophy. Psychoanalysis offers the possibility for thinking about emancipation not as an act of overcoming loss but as the embrace of loss. It is only through the embrace of loss, McGowan suggests, that we find the path to enjoyment, and enjoyment is the determinative factor in all political struggles—and only in a political project that embraces the centrality of loss will we find a viable alternative to global capitalism.
Review
"In this refreshingly accessible textbook, Kuklick presents a convincing picture of United States history as always engaged with religious issues, though in a striking variety of ways... It bends over backwards to treat controversial developments in the United States' contentious political history as fairly as possible... Readers looking for a reliable general history - with especially adpet handling of the nation's diplomacy, and an eye alert for the ongoing significance of religion - will find exactly what they are seeking. In an era where the fashions of professional historians run to ever more minutely focused research, it takes fortitude to attempt a one-author summation of the whole American past." —Mark Noll, University of Notre Dame
Synopsis
This book is a fresh and engaging account of America's history from the 15th century to the 21st. It focuses on politics, but places this in the context of religious culture and emphasises the assertive expressionism at the heart of the development of the U.S.
Synopsis
A fresh and engaging account of America's history from the 15th century to the 21st that navigates complexities without oversimplifying or assuming prior knowledge. Kuklick focuses on politics, but places this in the context of religious culture and emphasizes the assertive expansion at the heart of the development of the U.S.
Synopsis
A fresh and engaging account of America's history from European contact to the election of Barack Obama. Bruce Kuklicks straightforward yet authoritative narrative, provides a clear and concise way through the complexities of American history without oversimplifying or assuming prior knowledge. The book places politics in the context of religious culture and tries to account for the assertive expansion at the heart of the development of the U.S. Supported by wide-ranging examples, extracts from primary sources, maps, photos and illustrations, this compelling yet balanced account of Americas political, cultural and religious history will be core reading for undergraduate students of American history.
Synopsis
A fresh and engaging account of America's history from European contact to the election of Barack Obama. Bruce Kuklicks straightforward yet authoritative narrative, provides a clear and concise way through the complexities of American history without oversimplifying or assuming prior knowledge. The book places politics in the context of religious culture and tries to account for the assertive expansion at the heart of the development of the U.S. Supported by wide-ranging examples, extracts from primary sources, maps, photos and illustrations, this compelling yet balanced account of Americas political, cultural and religious history will be core reading for undergraduate students of American history.
About the Author
Bruce Kuklick is Nichols Professor of American History at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of ten books in the fields of American political, diplomatic, intellectual and sports history. He has received several major teaching awards offered by the University of Pennsylvania.
Table of Contents
Introduction
PART I: MAKING A STATE
The European Impact in America, 1494-1676
North American Colonies, 1632-1732
The Colonies in the Empire, 1651-1774
War and Order, 1775-1787
PART II: CONSOLIDATING THE POWER OF THE STATE
The Culture of Politics, 1788-1826
From Coexistence to Expansion, 1783-1832
Nationalism, Sectionalism, and Slavery, 1820-1861
Lincoln and the Civil War, 1858-1865
The Sections Integrated: South, West, and Northeast, 1865-1896
PART III: THE AMERICAN STATE AND THE WORLD
The New Empire, 1890-1917
Progressive America, 1900-1920
The Crises of Progressive Capitalism, 1919-1933
The Cosmopolitan New Deal in Depression and War, 1933 -1945
Cold War America, 1945-1963
PART IV: PERSONAL POLITICS AND THE STATE
The Long 1960s, 1954-1975
Cultural Divisions and Cultural Imperialism, 1968-2000
Epilogue: America in History, 2001 and After
Critical Suggestions for Reading and Study
Index