Making Sense of American Liberalism

This collection of ten essays explores the accomplishments, impasses, and paradoxes of 20th century liberalism in the US. The essays cover issues of labor, class, race, and urban development in the work of mainstream liberal social activists, office-holders, urban-planners, and trade unionists, drawing together the importance of grassroots efforts with high politics and policy-making. The book is organized into three sections. The first surveys the synergy between liberals and the broader left, showing alliances with radical socialists and civil libertarians, but also the eventual gap between traditions of social reform and whether it can be closed. The second examines social reform and policy innovation in urban development. The third section examines internal and external liberal coalition-building in the context of the civil rights movement, post-New Deal feminism, and labor unions. The contributors are professors of history, American studies, and political science. Annotation Ac2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)