Synopses & Reviews
During the 1930s, a battle was waged over both philosophy and policy between those who described themselves as liberals, both inside and outside the Roosevelt administration. On one side were those who viewed themselves as modern liberals, who saw capitalism as a failure and sought to replace it with a collectivist society and economy. On the other were more traditional American liberals or progressives who aimed merely to reform capitalism, in the belief that individual liberty and a free economy were synonymous. This study examines the role of each during this vital decade. Instead of reaching its high point in the New Deal years, Best argues, American liberalism retreated from most of its major tenets as a result of the popularity of collectivism.
Challenging existing stereotypes and conventional wisdom concerning the 1930s, this study delves into the controversy between the new liberals and the free enterprise group. Included in this latter category were the Brandeisians, who exercised considerable influence within the Roosevelt administration, as well as a variety of more traditional liberals who worked through other channels to achieve their goals. Many of those who called themselves liberals in the 1930s had, Best contends, actually abandoned their basic liberal tenets. This included the president as well.
Review
With its focus on the progressive critics of the New Deal, this is a useful addition to New Deal collections. Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above.Choice
Synopsis
During the 1930s, a battle was waged over both philosophy and policy between those who described themselves as liberals, both inside and outside the Roosevelt administration. On one side were those who viewed themselves as "modern" liberals, who saw capitalism as a failure and sought to replace it with a collectivist society and economy. On the other were more traditional American liberals or progressives who aimed merely to reform capitalism, in the belief that individual liberty and a free economy were synonymous. This study examines the role of each during this vital decade. Instead of reaching its high point in the New Deal years, Best argues, American liberalism retreated from most of its major tenets as a result of the popularity of collectivism. Challenging existing stereotypes and conventional wisdom concerning the 1930s, this study delves into the controversy between the "new" liberals and the free enterprise group. Included in this latter category were the Brandeisians, who exercised considerable influence within the Roosevelt administration, as well as a variety of more traditional liberals who worked through other channels to achieve their goals. Many of those who called themselves liberals in the 1930s had, Best contends, actually abandoned their basic liberal tenets. This included the president as well.
Synopsis
Challenges the existing stereotypes and conventionalwisdom concerning liberalism during the 1930s.
About the Author
GARY DEAN BEST is Professor of History at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. His previous books include Pride, Prejudice, and Politics (Praeger, 1990), FDR and the Bonus Marchers (Praeger, 1992), and The Nickel and Dime Decade (Praeger, 1993).
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
A Leap into the Dark
Misgivings
The Combatants
Confusion in the Ranks
Creative Economics
Collectivists and the Court
Progressives and the Court
The Good Society
Disenchantment
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index