Liberty, one of the most consequential words in our language, is
one of the most treasured concepts in American thought--and one of
the most intensely debated. Its meaning is constantly shifting,
changing not only from one culture to another but also, over time,
within the same culture. No two definitions of liberty seem
alike.
In this subtle and illuminating work Michael Kammen traces the
evolving concept of liberty throughout American history and
provides a solid framework for understanding the meaning of the
term today. He shows that by the early seventeenth century a
tension between liberty and authority was well recognized.
Throughout the eighteenth century and especially during the
American Revolution a bond between liberty and property was
asserted. By the end of the eighteenth century this concept of
liberty was so well established that it remained dominant
throughout the nineteenth. By the early twentieth century, as the
notion of social justice gained prominence, liberty and justice
were paired frequently, and by midcentury the two had become allied
to general American values. Since the 1960s the union of liberty
and equality has been the prevailing notion, and achieving them has
proved a major objective.
In a lively and learned manner Kammen also shows that Americans
have subscribed to different definitions of liberty concurrently.
Above all, there has been a steady expansion of what is embraced by
the concept of liberty. This expansion has created difficulties in
public discourse, causing groups to misunderstand one another. On
the other hand, interpretations of liberty have broadened to
include such concepts as constraints on authority, a right to
privacy, and the protection of personal freedoms.
In a new preface for this Banner Books edition Kammen responds
to evaluations of earlier editions and places his views within the
context of more recent studies.
Michael Kammen, a professor of American history and culture at
Cornell University, is the author of "American Culture, American
Tastes: Social Change and the 20th Century" and "In the Past Lane:
Historical Perspectives on American Culture."
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