Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism (American Intellectual Culture) [Paperback]

Ronald J. Pestritto (Author)

Book Description

Series: American Intellectual Culture | Publication Date: January 17, 2005

Woodrow Wilson is best known for his service as the 28th president of the United States and his influence on American foreign policy in the 20th century and beyond. Yet Wilson is equally important for his influence on how Americans think about their Constitution and principles of government. 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. Engaging and thought-provoking, Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism gets to the heart of Wilson's political ideologies and brings a fresh perspective to the study of American political development.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The 'Era of Big Government'—and the idea that the national government ought to be adequate to any task the people ask of it—did not creep up on America unaware. It was a deliberate project, grounded in a critique of the original Constitution, bolstered by a new political science, and guided by a thorough-going confidence in historical progress. With clarity, conviction, and plenty of evidence, R. J. Pestritto shows that, from his early days as a political scientist through his election to the presidency, Woodrow Wilson was consistently a central figure in the development of Progressivism and so of the Liberalism that dominated twentieth-century American public policy and political life. Though Wilson was no philosopher-king, Pestritto explains that our doctor-of-philosophy-president changed how we think about democracy and about America, in ways that ought to be reappraised but have yet to be undone. (Stoner, James R., Jr. )

Ronald Pestritto’s book is the deepest and most comprehensive treatment to date of Woodrow Wilson’s political thought. Pestritto has produced a masterful study of the origins of Wilson’s theoretical views, and he has carefully shown the connections between those views and Wilson’s positions on major constitutional and institutional questions. All interested in American political thought will appreciate this important work. (Ceaser, James )

In his brilliant new book, Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism, Ronald Pestritto painstakingly documents Wilson's debt to Hegel. (Paul Mirengoff and Scott Johnson The Daily Standard )

Pestritto offers an interesting read, with Wilson as a parallel to contemporary end of history commentary. Recommended. (Choice )

In a work that cuts against much of the existing scholarship on Wilson, Pestritto shows that Wilson held coherent and consistent political principles throughout his life, and that these principles put Wilson at the heart of the Progressive movement. Pestritto's case relies on an impressive and meticulous study of Wilson's own words--speeches and writings taken from every stage of Wilson's life--which makes this book all the more persuasive. (Marini, John )

About the Author

Ronald J. Pestritto is Charles and Lucia Shipley Chair in the American Constitution at Hillsdale College and a research fellow at the Claremont Institute.

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (January 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742515176
• ISBN-13: 978-0742515178
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

131 of 136 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wilson's philosophical foundation of thought., June 1, 2009

By 

Robert Stevens (Guilford, CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism (American Intellectual Culture) (Paperback)

While also reading one of the commonly acknowledged biographies of Wilson, I came across this book. The biography presents Wilson's social life in great and tedious detail, but says very very little about who he was and why he did what he did. Pestrito's book correct this defect. Wilson believed in the supremacy of The State above the individual. He was educated by Historicists who did not believed the Theory of Natural Rights as embodied in the Declaration and the Constitution. They latched on to Darwinism and corrupted it into a vision of perfection of mankind through perfection of the State. This book makes clear the roots of the philosophy but tells the story in clear and readily understandable terms. It is a page turner, not a sleep inducer. I would heartily recommend it for those interested in the intellectual history of the modern era.

194 of 208 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique interpretation, June 16, 2007

By 

M. Parks (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism (American Intellectual Culture) (Paperback)

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.

180 of 193 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More of What I Didn't Learn in History, March 17, 2009

By 

Patrick Nolan "DrNo" (Columbia, SC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism (American Intellectual Culture) (Paperback)

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!