Medieval America: Feudalism and Liberalism in Nineteenth-Century U.S. Culture

In the 19th century, Robert Yusef Rabiee argued that feudal law and medieval literature were structural components of the American cultural imaginary, challenging the liberal consensus model and revealing deep sympathies between modern and premodern political thought. This reorients our discussions about American cultural and political development in terms of the long arc of European history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2020
Publisher: University of Georgia Press

Medieval America delves into a comprehensive analysis of literary, legal, and historical archives, shedding light on a fresh perspective on the formation of American culture. In contrast to the studies prevalent during the Cold War era, which followed the liberal consensus model proposed by political scientist Louis Hartz, Medieval America challenges the notion that the United States emerged from the Revolutionary era free from the feudal institutions of Europe and uninterested in producing medieval culture. Robert Yusef Rabiee, the author, argues that feudal law and medieval literature played significant structural roles in shaping the American cultural imaginary during the nineteenth century.

This assertion goes against the prevailing narrative and offers a deeper understanding of how American social roles evolved. It reveals that the racial, gender, and class formations that emerged during the early stages of U.S. nation building were deeply indebted to medieval social, political, and religious thought. This observation challenges the liberal consensus model and enables us to gain a more comprehensive grasp of the development of American social roles.

Rather than dismissing feudal tradition, the early United States incorporated feudalism into its emerging liberal order, creating a complex system of values and practices that continue to shape the American experience. At times, the remnants of feudalism contradicted the liberal values of the United States. However, there were also instances where the feudal residuum reinforced these values, revealing profound sympathies between so-called modern and premodern political thought.

Medieval America seeks to reorient our discussions about American cultural and political development by placing them within the broader context of European history. By examining the interactions between the United States and Europe, Medieval America offers a more nuanced understanding of the complex tapestry of influences that shaped the nation's development. It encourages us to explore the enduring legacies of medieval culture and the ways in which they continue to resonate in contemporary American society.

In conclusion, Medieval America provides a valuable contribution to the study of American culture and history. By challenging the liberal consensus model and illuminating the structural components of the American cultural imaginary, it offers a fresh perspective on the nation's development. Through its comprehensive analysis of literary, legal, and historical archives, Medieval America enables us to better understand the complex interplay between the United States and Europe and the enduring legacies of medieval culture.

Weight: 504g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780820358369