The New Progressive Era: Toward a Fair and Deliberative Democracy
Author(s): Peter Levine (Author)
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (UK)
Publication Date: 1 Dec. 1999
Language: English
Print length: 272 pages
ISBN-10: 9780847695744
ISBN-13: 0847695743
Book Description
A century ago, Americans launched a period of civic renewal and political reform. Today, amid deep dissatisfaction with our major institutions, there are signs that a new movement may revive the spirit of the original Progressive Era. Peter Levine draws inspiration from the great Progressive leader Robert M. La Follete, Sr., and his circle, which included John Dewey, Jane Addams, and Louis Brandeis. He discusses the shortcomings of this group as well as their successes, but he argues that their ideal of a fair and deliberative democracy is right for our time. Combining their philosophy and experience with the best contemporary proposals, Levine advocates campaign finance reform, an entirely different approach to regulation, new styles of journalism and civic education, and fundamental changes in the tax system. Combining philosophical arguments, historical background, empirical data, and concrete proposals, The New Progressive Era offers today’s most comprehensive plan for civic renewal and political reform.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Peter Levine”s new book represents an important new voice in our national deliberations about how to revitalize American democracy. It is a thorough, thoughtful account of the contemporary relevance of the ideas and innovations of the Progressive Era and a persuasive case for a new progressive agenda in American politics. — Robert D. Putnam, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
The author is to be lauded for his scope and positive view of troublesome issues in the U.S. Useful for undergraduate and general library collections.
Nevertheless, some of these books are useful. Peter Levine”s The New Progressive Era makes a good go of it. It”s a readable and thoughtful argument.
Peter Levine”s The New Progressive Era is a readable and thoughtful argument.
A serious attempt to apply a philosophically coherent position to some of our most important political problems.
Some books you read and put aside. Others you send to friends; this is one of those books. Peter Levine brings a rich historical and philosophical perspective to an immediate and practical question: What is going to be the effect of all the effort that has gone into civic renewal in the last decade? What it will take to make democracy work as it should will be an especially pressing issue in the 2000 elections. Americans are already frustrated by a political system where money, rather than people, seems to do the voting. This book speaks to everyone from journalists to foundation executives to teachers to members of civic organizations to all citizens. Don”t miss reading it. — David Mathews,, president, Kettering Foundation
About the Author
Peter Levine is research scholar at the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park.
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