Product Description

Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism highlights Wilson's sharp departure from the traditional principles of American government, most notably the Constitution. Ronald J. Pestritto persuasively argues that Wilson's unfailing criticism places him clearly in line with the Progressives' assault on the original principles of American constitutionalism. Drawing primarily from early writings and speeches that Wilson made during his years as a scholar, Pestritto examines the future president's clear and consistent ideologies that laid the foundation for later actions taken as a public leader.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61012 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 296 pages

Customer Reviews

Unique interpretation
This only being the third book I've read on Woodrow Wilson's political thought, I was struck by its argument--Wilson subverted the ideas of the Founders by his progressivism and his progressive thought is consistent throughout his writings (cf. Thorsen). Arguing that Wilson significantly diverged from the political thought of the Founders, Pestritto is critical of Wilson and brings to bear upon his argument insightful context that had a substantial influence upon Wilson's intellect. Pestritto is convincing throughout and each of his chapters are clearly organized so that the reader easily follows. One thing I had a hard time buying was the weight he gave Hegel in Wilson's thought. Nevertheless, the book is deeply read in the primary literature and is conversant with the secondary. I found it helpful in writing a paper and looking for how to approach Wilson's writings, in terms of specific pieces and interpretation, and where to look for other sources.

More of What I Didn't Learn in History
This is a well-documented and eye-opening examination of a forgotten (suppressed?) period in presidential politics and American history.

Scholarly, but not pedantic, it peels the onion-layers off of Wilson's political ideology, exposes its Hegelian historicist roots, and cogently supports Jonah Goldberg's claim that "it has happened here." Fascism, that is.

Moreover, by demonstrating that Wilson's thorough-going racism, disdain for the constitution and the principles it was based on, were firmly anchored in (Hegelian) progressivism, it makes one wonder why anyone would willingly claim the title of "progressive" today.

Have a pen handy for underlining passages, find a comfortable chair, and enjoy the ride!

The Liberal Rationale
I have never understood the rationale used by liberals to justify their preference for bigger government, higher taxes, and interpreting the Constitution as they choose.
Woodrow Wilson was an intellectual who viewed the government and the population in a different light than ever before. He believed that the government should do for the people whatever the people wanted, and taxed in order to do it. If so doing wasn't exactly stated in the Constitution, it was permissable to interpret it in a way that insured it's legality.
In the eight years of Wilson and eight more of FDR, the people of the USA became so dependent on the government that they expect the government to do everything for them. That belief is all that's necessary for liberals to do whatever is necessary to make it happen.
The individual has surrendered his self respect, his motivation, and his desire to achieve on his own.