The Dilemma of Progressivism: How Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson Reshaped the American Regime of Self-Government

by Will Morrisey Hillsdale College

Overview

In the first book-length study of Progressive-Era presidents'' views on the theme of self-government, The Dilemma of Progressivism critically analyzes their understanding of executive leadership and the office of the presidency. Will Morrisey examines both the rhetoric and the actions of Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson to show the ways in which their thought shaped their presidencies. He shows how the Progressive presidents dealt with the genesis of a modern, centralized American state and the conflicting increase in popularity of the notion of self-government.

Drawing larger conclusions about the key American ideas of self-government, federalism, freedom, and social welfare, Morrisey strikes the right balance between political theory and history in this study on self-government and the political thought of three American presidents.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742566187
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/16/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	278
File size:	453 KB

About the Author

Will Morrisey is the William and Patricia LaMothe Chair in the American Constitution and Associate Professor of Political Science at Hillsdale College. He is also author of Self-Government, The American Theme (Lexington Books, 2004).

Table of Contents

Preface: Self-Government in America ix

Introduction: What Progressivism Is and Is Not 1

Chapter 1 Theodore Roosevelt 39

Chapter 2 William Howard Taft 107

Chapter 3 Woodrow Wilson 171

Conclusion: Self-Government, the Progressivist Dilemma 227

Acknowledgments 233

References 235

Index 245

About the Author 253

Editorial Reviews

Consumers of high political philosophy will find this book stimulating.

Claremont Review of Books

In this philosophically informed study of the political thought of Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson, Will Morrisey provides a fair-minded critique of the challenge to American anti-statist constitutionalism posed by progressive reformers and intellectuals in the early twentieth century. Morrisey's lucid and penetrating account elevates the study of the origins of the modern liberal state to a new level of historical insight and understanding.

Herman Belz

Will Morrisey is one of the most penetrating students of statesmanship and political philosophy writing today. This learned and wise book continues his exploration of the meaning—and fate—of self-government in the American political tradition and in the western democratic world as whole. It shows exactly what is at stake in the contemporary displacement of natural rights by an amorphous 'historical consciousness' as well as the difficulty of sustaining self-government in a world dominated bureaucratic statism.

Daniel J. Mahoney

Well-written volume....Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Well-written volume....Recommended.

January 2010 Choice Reviews

Well-written volume....Recommended.

January 2010 CHOICE

Well-written volume....Recommended.

Choice

In this philosophically informed study of the political thought of Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson, Will Morrisey provides a fair-minded critique of the challenge to American anti-statist constitutionalism posed by progressive reformers and intellectuals in the early twentieth century. Morrisey's lucid and penetrating account elevates the study of the origins of the modern liberal state to a new level of historical insight and understanding.--Herman Belz, University of Maryland

Will Morrisey is one of the most penetrating students of statesmanship and political philosophy writing today. This learned and wise book continues his exploration of the meaning--and fate--of self-government in the American political tradition and in the western democratic world as whole. It shows exactly what is at stake in the contemporary displacement of natural rights by an amorphous 'historical consciousness' as well as the difficulty of sustaining self-government in a world dominated bureaucratic statism.--Daniel J. Mahoney, Assumption College

Well-written volume....Recommended.--CHOICE, January 2010

From the Publisher