The Essential America: Our Founders and the Liberal Tradition [Hardcover]

George McGovern (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 20, 2004

Liberalism is the oldest and most enduring American tradition, a philosophy and way of life we inherited from the Founding Fathers. This is the central idea of The Essential America by George McGovern, America's best-known (and most consistent) liberal.

Referring us to our moral and spiritual foundations, McGovern not only presents a resounding defense of liberalism as "the most practical and hopeful compass to guide the American ship of state" but offers specific proposals for keeping the tradition vibrant.

The Essential America proposes programs for feeding the world's malnourished children. Rather than sending our armies abroad, McGovern spells out policies that confront the causes of terrorism. He proposes cutting our military budget (echoing Dwight D. Eisenhower's powerful warning about the military-industrial complex). He condemns preemptive war, criticizes tax cuts for the rich, and warns against government for the powerful minority.

Americans have traditionally stood for progress, generosity, tolerance, and protection of the needy, McGovern states -- as well as for multi- lateralism in foreign policy and "a decent respect for the opinions of mankind." He reminds us that while creative tension between liberalism and conservatism is the genius of American politics, it is the liberals who have been responsible for every forward step in our national history. They built "the Essential America."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The former presidential candidate, three-term South Dakota senator and outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War balances partisan argument with historical perspective in his winning, well-reasoned (if rarely startling) ninth book. Drawing both on the "moral and spiritual views" of America's founders and on his own experiences (as a wartime bomber pilot, a senator and a U.N. official fighting world hunger), McGovern defends a proud legacy of liberalism, whose "role is to harness federal power to serve the public interest." Offering warm words for many Republicans, McGovern nevertheless pulls no punches about the current administration's "arrogance and go-it-alone" behavior; much of the book outlines a progressive alternative. Five chapters alternate progressive policy recommendations with discussions of (and long quotes from) presidents McGovern admires: Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln and FDR. The book's real historical hero, however, is Eisenhower, who warned that an ever-expanding "military-industrial complex" could choke off democracy and waste American treasure in needless wars.
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From Booklist

McGovern, the man who has come to epitomize liberalism in American politics, offers a perspective on the tradition of liberalism as the bedrock of American political traditions. He cites the Founding Fathers as well as more recent political history, in much of which he was personally engaged, for examples of American moral spirit and ideals. But, he asserts, the nation has gone astray with a domestic policy that favors the wealthy and an international policy that relies on military might. Acknowledging the national trauma of the terrorist attack of 9/11, McGovern nonetheless asks the question: "Is it possible that preponderant military power and earth-shaking aerial bombardment are not the best antidotes to the terrorist zealot?" He denounces the preemptive war in Iraq and tax breaks for the wealthy. Noting his 1972 presidential campaign theme, "Come Home America," McGovern appeals for a return to progressive politics. He specifically calls for using our power and influence to resolve the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians and for reducing military spending in favor of solving domestic ills. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; First Edition edition (July 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743269276
• ISBN-13: 978-0743269278
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,048,526 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

George McGovern served in the U.S. Senate for 18 years and was the 1972 Democratic candidate for president. He directed the first Food for Peace Program under former president John F. Kennedy. A decorated World War II bomber pilot (Distinguished Flying Cross), he holds a PhD in history from Northwestern University and is a former professor at Dakota Wesleyan University. He was named by former president Bill Clinton in 1997 as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization. In 2000, he was awarded by Clinton the nation's highest honor, the Medal of Freedom. He divides his time among South Dakota, Montana, and Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Timely Defense of Liberalism, July 30, 2004

By 

John S. (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Essential America: Our Founders and the Liberal Tradition (Hardcover)

The term "liberal" has been a dirty word ever since Ronald Reagan referred to it as the "L" word. In this timely book by former Senator and 1972 Democratic nominee for president, George McGovern, a cogent defense of this much maligned philosophy is offered. Liberalism, not conservatism, is the true compassionate political philosophy, and McGovern defends it masterfully. In my opinion the best quote in the book comes from chapter 3 where McGovern points out the obvious difference between the liberal and conservative view on the role of government: "I challenge my conservative friends to name a single federal program now generally approved by both of our major parties that was not first pushed by liberals over the opposition of conservatives." McGovern cites Social Security and Medicare as two of the best known examples, but I can think of a number of others such as the FDIC, the SEC, Head Start, just to name a few.

But perhaps the most important message in this book is that America should return to those ideals that once made it the most respected and envied country in the world: compassion, decency, and respect for the opinions of mankind. By doing this the United States could begin to win the war on terror and recapture its position as the most respected and admired nation in the world. Such a scenario would produce the cooperation and goodwill necessary to defeat the menace of terrorism. This message is needed now more than ever. I highly recommend this wonderful little book.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars George McGovern's Common Sense Is Back, July 18, 2004

By 

Richard Marano "author of Vote Your Conscience" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Essential America: Our Founders and the Liberal Tradition (Hardcover)

George McGovern's, The Essential America, is a candid, refreshingly-honest discussion of American liberalism, today's "most maligned political philosophy." This great American statesman tackles the criticisms of liberalism head-on, and clearly demonstrates how both the liberal and conservative traditions have evolved and eroded politically. George McGovern remains ever-faithful to the "social gospel," teachings instilled in him at any early age by his father, a devoted follower of John Wesley. Moreover, McGovern's political beliefs are soundly and squarely rooted in the U.S. Constitution.
McGovern remains unafraid to espouse liberalism--whether it be Jefferson's, Lincoln's, or his own. In so doing, he demonstrates how far America has strayed from the brilliant guidance of our founding fathers. He addresses all of the toughest issues of our day, including the war in Iraq, world hunger, and, of course, international terrorism.
This is a book only George McGovern could have written--specific, thoughtful, provocative-- a blueprint for a wiser, stronger American future in a more peaceful world.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential, good common sense, August 21, 2004

By 

Jon Hunt "musician, teacher" (Old Greenwich, Ct. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Essential America: Our Founders and the Liberal Tradition (Hardcover)

George McGovern has always been a voice of reason and it's good to see he's still around and speaking out about things that are great about America and things at which cause us concern as a nation. You won't find many neocons reading "The Essential America" because they've "written" their own book on this country...and gotten us into a lot of trouble because of it. McGovern points out that so much of America's spending is in non-productive areas....much of it in defense that has produced us with little tangible results over the past fifty years. He rightly concludes that the current president and his ilk in Washington have not made the United States any safer in the world, but more vulnerable, given the needless foray into Iraq and the even larger question of the uneven tilt toward Israel. We'll be paying the price for those mistakes for ages to come.

Senator McGovern speaks of his war service in this book but does so humbly and with many references about what patriotism should be. He reminds us of the hollow phrase, "America...love it or leave it" and echoes his own words from 1972...."let us change America, so we can love it the more." I hope this is a fitting prelude to the defeat of George Bush in November...or to put it more liberally...erasing America's mistake. "The Essential America" provides a ringing endorsement of the liberal tradition in this country and it is a book that is definitely worth the read.