Philosophy of the United States: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

by Gordon L. Anderson

Overview

The United States has become a major world power. Once admired as a model of democracy and a hope for refugees everywhere, today it often appears as a self-absorbed bully to the rest of the world. Is the United States government a democracy or the nerve center of a world empire controlled by the wealthy? Is its foreign policy the will of the people or entirely aloof from that will?



Philosophy of the United States examines history of the United States in terms of the vision its founders had and the constitution they devised to provide a framework for its citizens to pursue life, liberty and happiness. In shows important areas where the constitution has worked, where it has been ineffective, where it has been changed, and why the United States today suffers problems of legitimacy like other ancient empires as they aged.



This is an excellent book for anyone wanting a basic knowledge of the purposes and consequences, and strengths and weaknesses, of the American Experiment and how it fits in history—the broad overview.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013813113
Publisher:	Paragon House Publishers
Publication date:	12/07/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	890 KB

About the Author

Gordon L. Anderson earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion at the Claremont Graduate University. He has been editor-in-chief of International Journal on World Peace since 1992. He is author of many articles and books, including Philosophy of the United States: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness (2004) and Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, Version 4.0 (2009).

Anderson has a long experience with the analysis of major political systems. In 1985, he organized with Professors Alexander Shtromas, Morton A. Kaplan and 90 sovietologists, in Geneva, Switzerland, a conference on "The Fall of the Soviet Empire: Prospects for Transition to a Post-Soviet World." Observers later stated that this conference not only accurately predicted the end of the Soviet Union, but may have helped guide its peaceful transition. In 1987, in the Philippines, with the guidance of Professors Ilpyong J. Kim and Morton A. Kaplan, a similar study with 90 sinologists was conducted on "China in a New Era: Challenges and Opportunities." Then in 1989, in London, England, with the guidance of Professor Edwards Shils he organized a conference of 90 experts on democratic government titled "Liberal Democratic Societies: The Present State and Future Prospects." He edited Morality and Religion in Liberal Democratic Societies, one of the seven books published from this conference. Anderson also served as President of the Minnesota Legislative Evaluation Assembly, of which he has been a member evaluating the Minnesota legislature since 1999.

Editorial Reviews

Taking the events of September 11, 2001, as a call for reflection on the philosophy of the United States, Anderson provides a political history focusing on the founders' vision for the new nation and how the US has increasingly diverged from those ideas. This book compares the current economic and political power of the US to that of Babylon and Rome and concludes that America's pursuit of national self-interest since WW II has little to do with the nation's original aims. Some of the most inter

Choice - J.A. Gauthier

"…explores the history and political necessity of a philosophical undergirding for the rule of law and international affairs of the United States. It is not a "how to" book but more of "what" and "why" book. What is the ethical and religious basis of the country? Why is political philosophy important?

'The peace and order of any society require that the government be viewed as legitimate. Legitimacy implies that the citizens view the government as good, fair, and trustworthy. Leg

Journal of Church and State - Book Reviewer

“With unusual scope and clarity, Anderson explores key moments in the development of Western civilization and the distinctively American qualities it presently embodies. With penetrating insight and constructive criticism, the book charts a course that the United States is well advised to follow if it is to live out the best meanings of its creed.”

Claremont McKenna College - John K. Roth

"Americans in general are lost in terms of where this country came from and what it is about. I was particularly interested in the sections on financial power and globalization which show that Americans have often viewed corporations naively, with critics underestimating their potential for good and supporters ignoring their potential for harm, and often misrepresenting the philosophy of Adam Smith. Anderson provides a non-partisan and balanced framework for understanding the issues the United S

Florida A&M University - Kenneth R. Gray

"Philosophy of the United States is a most timely call for the reassessment and streamlining of the workings of America's system of justice, which has been increasingly questioned and maligned in recent times. As former counsel to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee, a constitutional and criminal lawyer, and an advisor to the Haitian, Philippine, South African and several other constitutional drafters, I have found few concise analyses and explications of this country's legal and consti

Washington College of Law - Nicholas N. Kittrie