American Political Thought, Fifth Edition
- 573 pages
- 21 hours of reading
In the aftermath of 9/11, Dolbeare and Cummings encourage students to reflect on their political identities, prompting them to redirect their concerns about Islamic fundamentalism towards American fundamentalism and the foundations of American political thought. Students explore core ideals such as life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, private enterprise, the rule of law, checks and balances, and the right to revolt against oppression. The editors highlight three themes to aid in understanding seminal and revisionist political thought, emphasizing the importance of contextualizing personal beliefs in history. This approach helps students determine which beliefs resonate with them as Americans facing 21st-century challenges. The book's structure remains consistent, with the post-World War II section divided into 1945-1990 and 1990-2004. A new Part VI delves into the diverse landscape of American political thought since 1990, featuring voices from liberal and conservative presidents to emerging perspectives on populism, nationalism, and social issues. The fifth edition also incorporates key historical contributions, including Federalist Paper #54, Mark Twain's views on slavery and imperialism, Ambrose Bierce's political cynicism, and Lakota holy man Black Elk's reflections on American history and a hopeful future.
