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Congress and the American Tradition Paperback – June 15, 2011

by James Burnham (Author)

4.7 6 ratings

Part of: Library of Conservative Thought (31 books)

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2011 Reprint of 1959 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. The central place of Congress in the American political tradition, the decline of its power and prestige during the 20th century, and the possibilities of restoring its influence constitute the themes of this classic work on American politics. Burnham believes that if congress would cease to be an actively functioning political institution, then political liberty in the United States would come to an end. Burnham is best know as the author of "The Managerial Revolution".

Part of series

Library of Conservative Thought
Print length

366 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Martino Fine Books
Publication date

June 15, 2011
Dimensions

6 x 0.82 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1614270740
ISBN-13

978-1614270744
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James Burnham
202
Hardcover
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Martino Fine Books (June 15, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 366 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1614270740
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1614270744
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.18 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.82 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,840,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #652 in U.S.Congresses, Senates & Legislative
- #1,594 in General Elections & Political Process
- #74,562 in Literary Fiction (Books)

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4.7 6 ratings

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Dr. Jones

Great insight into what Congress did, but now fails to do

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2011

Burnham provides a very well constructed narrative of what Congress was intended to be within the American governing structure. The founders clearly intended for this branch of government to be the center of the policy making process. Today, however, that no longer is the case, and what many would argue is that this is in part responsible for the failings of the American political system. The reason that the legislature was intended to be the center of government was the link it had to the people, and the consequences that had for the reputation for those occupying those seats. Congress, it was thought by the founders, would not do anything to harm, the country because it would harm their names. The founders had it wrong, and Burnham helps to explain why this is the case.

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radtrad

Nice history, bad policy prescriptions

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2001

Burnham's book is a fine history of the slow degeneration of Congress as an institution, from it's beginnings as the heart of our gov't, to it's present state as an irritating side show that mainly serves to siphon public money off to various local interests. That, in fact, is one of the things Burnham defends, and this is the book's primary flaw. While it gives a fine account of the creeping imperialism of the executive branch, it offers nothing but jeremiads. The practical solutions to this problem, such as making Congress larger, are not seriously considered. Worse yet is the author's tendency to defend the more backward aspects of Congressional life, such as special interest politics. It is all well and good to say that Congress defends the rights of the few against the many and stands in the path of mob tyrannny, but it is undeniable that it is all to often a leech that exists only to expropriate the wealth of one segment of society and pass it on to another. Burnham's blind allegience to outworn gov't mechanisms is his great flaw. The first principles he adheres to are as valid as ever, but they need a new embodiement more suited to our own times and troubles. Romantic nostalgia for the days of Webster and Calhoun is counterproductive.

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Gregory Butler

A Necessary Return to First Principles

Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2008

Burnham's book is an outstanding historical overview of the nature of Congress as an institution. The strength of the work is in its thoughtful application of founding principles to the historical working and devolution of Congress up until the late 1950s. As such, the reader should not expect the book to deliver much in the way of specific therapeutic prescriptions for contemporary problems; it is far better utilized as a sobering reminder of basic requirements for an ordered republic, with current students of the American regime doing the applicative work to the issues of our own time.

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Congress and the American Tradition Paperback – June 15, 2011

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