Skip to product information
1 of 1

Daniel Soyer

Left in the Center: The Liberal Party of New York and the Rise and Fall of American Social Democracy

Left in the Center: The Liberal Party of New York and the Rise and Fall of American Social Democracy

YOU SAVE £4.50

Regular price £40.50 GBP
Regular price £45.00 GBP Sale price £40.50 GBP
10% OFF Sold out
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
  • Condition: Brand new
  • UK Delivery times: Usually arrives within 2 - 3 working days
  • UK Shipping: Fee starts at £2.39. Subject to product weight & dimension
Dispatches within 7 to 10 working days
Trustpilot 4.5 stars rating  Excellent
We're rated excellent on Trustpilot.
  • More about Left in the Center: The Liberal Party of New York and the Rise and Fall of American Social Democracy


Left in the Center by Daniel Soyer explores the relationship between Democratic Socialism and mainstream American politics, showing how the Liberal Party of New York State played a strategic kingmaker role from 1944 to 2002. The party's platform reflected its founders' social democratic principles, but its power resided in its capacity to steer votes to preferred Democrats or Republicans.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2022
Publisher: Cornell University Press


The history of the Liberal Party of New York State, as documented by Daniel Soyer in his book Left in the Center, reveals a fascinating relationship between Democratic Socialism and mainstream American politics. Spanning from 1944 to 2002, the Liberal Party played a pivotal role in New York State's electoral politics, offering ideological approval to voters and serving as a strategic kingmaker. The party's platform reflected its founders' social democratic principles, and it helped elect presidents, governors, senators, and mayors.

In practical politics, the Liberal Party's power lay in its ability to steer votes to preferred Democrats or Republicans with a reasonable chance of victory. This uneasy balance between principle and pragmatism, however, proved impossible to maintain, ultimately leading to the party's decline.

The Liberal Party originated as a platform for anti-Communist social democrats to influence politics and policy in New York City, Albany, and Washington, DC. It provided a political voice for labor activists, independent liberals, and pragmatic social democrats. While the party later devolved into a cynical patronage machine, it remained a model for third-party power and influenced the formation of New York's Conservative and Working Families parties.

Throughout its active period, the Liberal Party had a significant impact on the politics and policy of New York. Notable figures, such as Jacob Javits' successful senatorial career and the mayoralties of John Lindsay and Rudy Giuliani, were associated with the party. The practical gains and political costs of this complicated trade-off are explored in Left in the Center, providing a comprehensive examination of the Liberal Party's history and its role in shaping New York State's political landscape.

Weight: 28g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501759871

UK and International shipping information

UK Delivery and returns information:

  • Delivery within 2 - 3 days when ordering in the UK.
  • Shipping fee for UK customers from £2.39. Fully tracked shipping service available.
  • Returns policy: Return within 30 days of receipt for full refund.

International deliveries:

Shulph Ink now ships to Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand, United States of America, Belgium, India, United Arab Emirates.

  • Delivery times: within 5 - 10 days for international orders.
  • Shipping fee: charges vary for overseas orders. Only tracked services are available for international orders.
  • Customs charges: If ordering to addresses outside the United Kingdom, you may or may not incur additional customs and duties fees during local delivery.
View full details