The Politics of Ideas: Political Theory and American Public Policy

by Lawrence J.R. Herson

This well-written book offers readers an inquiry into the politics of ideas, a canvass of American political theory, and an attempt to draw the connection between political theories and American... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0881335126
• ISBN13: 9780881335125
• Release Date: March 1990
• Publisher: Waveland Press
• Length: 358 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Outstanding Explanation of American Public Policy

This book is an excellent analysis of American political culture and public policy. Herson gracefully blends history, politics, and theory to explain the roots of American political culture and then uses that development to explain American public policy. A particular strength of the book is that Herson chose a chronological format for his exposition, beginning with the English colonial setting, transitioning into the Revolutionary era and the development of public policy before the Civil War, then extending his discussion to the post-World War II period - the result is an interesting narrative that makes you want to keep reading. Along the way Herson layers in appropriate quotes from literature, philosophy, poetry, and history. Herson concludes with a discussion of policy up through the early 1980s ( the original edition from the Dorsey Press was published in 1984). Covers Madisonianism, liberalism, conservatism, populism, libertarianism, and their roles in the formation of American public policy. Extensive discussion of race relations, civil rights, and the issues of liberty, majority rule, equality of opporunity and economic equality. Great for insight into the American mind, political theory, and political experience. Strongly reccomended for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, or anyone interested in a profound analysis of American political theory. I first read this in the mid-1980s and I have returned to it every couple of years for instruction, insight, and wisdom. This superb book deserves to be more widely read and known. Perfect.