Most Americans would probably be surprised to hear that, in 1959,
James Burnham, a leading political thinker questioned whether
Congress would survive, and whether the Executive Branch of the
American government would become a dictatorship. In the last
decade, members of Congress have impeached a president, rejected or
refused to consider presidential nominees, and appear in the media
criticizing the chief executive. Congress does not exactly appear
to be at risk of expiring. Regardless of how we perceive Congress
today, more than forty years after "Congress and the American
Tradition" was written, Burnham's questions, arguments, and
political analysis still have much to tell us about freedom and
political order.
Burnham originally intended "Congress and the American Tradition"
as a response to liberal critics of Senator McCarthy's
investigations of communist influence in the United States. He
developed it into a detailed analysis of the history and
functioning of Congress, its changing relationship with the
Executive Branch, and the danger of despotism, even in a democratic
society.
The book is organized into three distinct parts. "The American
System of Government," analyzes the concept of government, ideology
and tradition, power, and the place and function of Congress within
the American government. "The Present Position of Congress,"
explores its law-making power, Congressional commissions, treaties,
investigatory power, and proposals for Congressional reform. "The
Future of Congress," discusses democracy and liberty, and
ultimately asks, "Can Congress Survive?" Michael Henry's new
introduction sheds much insight into Burnham's writings and
worldview, combining biography and penetrating scholarly analysis.
He makes it clear why this work is of continuing importance to
political theoreticians, historians, philosophers, and those
interested in American government.
James Burnham (1905-1987) began his career as a professor of
philosophy at New York University. He co-founded, with William F.
Buckley, Jr., "The National Review." His books include "The
Managerial Revolution, The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom,"
and "Suicide of the West."
Michael Henry received his advanced degree in political theory. He
has been teaching philosophy at St. John's University in New York
since 1977.
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