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Article: The Decline of American Liberalism.
- Article from:
- The American Enterprise
- Article date:
- September 1, 1997
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 The American Enterprise, a national magazine of politics, business and culture (TEAmag.com). This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Although originally published in 1955 and much engaged with the Cold War's chilling effects on civil liberties, Arthur A. Ekirch, Jr.'s provocative The Decline of American Liberalism has perhaps never been more relevant. By stressing that, from the very start of American history, forces of centralized and decentralized power have been warring over the country, Ekirch makes a case for limited government and individual rights in a way that is extremely well-suited to the twilight years of the "American Century."
Ironically, for the past 50 years, Americans have often defined our country, our political system, and our identity, in terms of opposition to our vanquished ...