Reading list on the meaning of liberalism in American politics

This is just a brief follow-up to Sunday's post, and my much earlier post on "neoliberalism," but I thought I might give some reading suggestions, for anyone curious.  I sometimes give my students readings on ideology and ideological distinctions in American politics, and yes, I'm right.  A couple of the texts I have used in the past are Vernon Van Dyke's Ideology and Political Choice, and Nancy Love's Dogmas and Dreams.  Love's book has the benefit of being composed of two companion texts-- original writings by those who defined the various ideologies, and Love's analysis.  Van Dyke's text is a little more out of date, but more thorough analysis, in my opinion, of the variations of liberalism and conservatism in American politics.

If you really want to understand what the word, "liberal," means in the context of American politics, this is the stuff to read, and yes, in American politics, "liberal" has meant "left" for a long time.  Deal.

Tweet

Subscribe to receive free email updates: