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.
General
Imprint: |
Routledge
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
2018 |
First published: |
2017 |
Authors: |
James Burnham
|
Dimensions: |
229 x 152mm (L x W) |
Format: |
Hardcover
|
Pages: |
363 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-138-52103-2 |
Categories: |
Books >
Social sciences >
Politics & government >
General
|
LSN: |
1-138-52103-5 |
Barcode: |
9781138521032 |
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!