Making Liberalism New: American Intellectuals, Modern Literature, and the Rewriting of a Political Tradition

Making Liberalism New, by Ian Afflerbach, is a revisionist history of American liberalism from the Great Depression to the Cold War that explores how modernist literature influenced and shaped liberal intellectuals' ideas and ambitions. It argues that the rise of American liberal culture directed the priorities of modern literature and that the ironies of narrative form offer an ideal medium for readers to examine conceptual problems in liberal thought.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2021
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

A comprehensive retelling of American liberalism's evolution, spanning from the Great Depression to the Cold War, is presented in Ian Afflerbach's seminal work, "Making Liberalism New." This intellectual history distinguishes modern liberalism from its classical predecessors and elucidates its transition into neoliberalism by the turn of the century. Afflerbach's research encompasses a wide range of sources, including political philosophy, legal texts, psychological studies, government propaganda, and presidential campaign materials. By delving into the works of influential figures such as Tess Slesinger, Richard Wright, James Agee, John Dewey, Lionel Trilling, and Vladimir Nabokov, he sheds light on the reciprocal influence between modernist literature and liberal intellectuals. Throughout the book, Afflerbach demonstrates how this interplay shaped the remarkable writing and rewriting of the American liberal keyword in political life.

In the 1930s and 1960s, Afflerbach argues, modern American fiction played a crucial role in exposing and interrogating central concerns within liberal culture. These concerns included issues such as corporate ownership, reproductive rights, color-blind law, the limitations of social documentary, and the allure of heroic leadership. In response, liberal intellectuals drew upon key values from modernist culture, including irony, tragedy, and style, to reimagine the meaning and ambitions of American liberalism.

"Making Liberalism New" weaves together political theory and literary history to argue that the rise of American liberal culture had a profound impact on the priorities of modern literature. At the same time, it explores how the ironies of narrative form provide an ideal medium for readers to examine conceptual problems within liberal thought. These problems range from the abortion debate to the scope of government intervention, and Afflerbach's analysis offers insightful perspectives on these and other key issues of the era.

In conclusion, "Making Liberalism New" is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the evolution of American liberalism. By examining the reciprocal influence between modernist literature and liberal intellectuals, Afflerbach sheds light on the complex and multifaceted nature of this intellectual tradition. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the history, philosophy, and cultural significance of American liberalism.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421440903