ap gov summer book
Chapter 1
What does Dionne say is the overarching reason that there is a lack of constructive political debate in the U.S. today?
How can we agree on the future of our country if we can’t agree on our country’s past?
We can't agree on the possibilities our country has to offer if we can’t agree on a set number of values that our country is based on
What is the main argument asserted by Dionne in this text?
balance between individualism and a sense of communitarian obligation
What is the paradox that Dionne observes between government and community? pg6
criticizing government but directing comments towards government
Define what is meant by “the long consensus”. pg7
growth of individual liberties in the time after Theodore Roosevelt is president
industrial period leading into the 20th century
What were the results of the long consensus? pg7
United States became the most powerful nation on earth
social contract established under Long Consensus
preserve liberty and rebuilding community
“creative conflict” led to American System
but also created a sense of fear of power among Americans
How did the Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United court case shake the faith of the American public in the honesty of government? pg9
because large amounts of unregulated money go into political campaigns
Dionne states that he owes some gratitude to the Tea Party movement. Why is Dionne grateful? pg12
they continue to preach the same values and does not allow opposing views to wiggle their way inside their party
“pushed the logic of a certain kind of American conservatism to its limits”
opened a debate that needs to be settled
seeks inspiration from political tradition, connects present to past
look toward an authentic past, NOT an invented one
What is Bill Bishop’s observation about the American public in his book The Big Sort? pg20
we choose our version of history
building local community that make it hard to be together in a larger community
tend to live with people who act and think like us, have the same values, etc
smaller communities in effect weaken our ability to create a larger community
How did the Tea Party Movement begin? pg30
Rick Santelli libertarian campaign in 2009
go against values that constrict individual liberties (conservative)
Tea Party Nation= valued individualism
Tea Party Patriots= valued sense of community more
How did the Tea Party view presidents Bush and Obama? pg 30-33
opposed President Obama
also disappointed with Bush’s policies and his spending record
believed government was too big and spent too much money
A misrepresentation of history can complicate and misdirect contemporary political debate. Dionne cites several examples. Explain the examples (p.34-40)
Bob McDonnell, “Confederate History Month”
did not mention slavery
Revisionist history regarding the main cause of the Civil War
“states rights was the main reason” wrong
states had decisions on whether they wanted slavery or not
slavery was the main reason, states broke from Union because of this
Rush Limbaugh
claimed that the earliest settlers suffered economically because they were practicing socialism
and that they didn't privately own land
incorrect, they owned land but it was an European idea
According to Gary Gerstle, why did the Tea Party oppose George W. Bush? pg43
because he offered minority voters a reason to rethink their traditional hostility to the Grand Old Party
also had different views on immigration
“comfortable with diversity” as long as American patriotism and Christian values prevailed
What were some areas of disagreement between Christian Conservatives and the Tea Party Movement? pg 45
immigration policy
multiculturalism
influence of Islam in the US
disagreement of the allowance for immigrants to enter our country and take part in American culture
Dionne sees both similarities and differences between the Anti-Wall Street (Occupy Wall Street) and the Tea Party Movement. What are the similarities and differences? pg 46
Anti-Wall Street: left-wing populist movement who got their values/points across with protests
protested against social and economic inequality, big finance/government
similarities:
both results of anger due to country’s economic troubles
fears of American decline that it created
differences:
Anti-wall street: most fearsome power comes from the wealthy financial community (corporate America)
did not reject such activist government
Tea Party: most fearsome power comes from within the government
disliked bailouts because of government involvement
Dionne cited a very strong anti-Obama response on the part of the Tea Party. What was his assessment of this response? pg 48-49
states the anti-Obama response had a lot to do with a communitarian response to an individualistic era
tension between the communitarian beliefs and individualism was at the heart of the resistance to the Tea Party
campaign suggests country was too “self-involved” and planned to reverse extreme individualism
describes it as a “lost opportunity” because he doesn't express his hopes for the country in a way that would benefit the most amount of people for the longest amount of time
President Obama in his inaugural address in 2008 laid out a moral challenge for the U.S.. Summarize what those challenges were. pg 50
criticized flaws within individualism in the US
fighting against American narrative that marched towards individualism
hard to fight since this narrative has been expanding/growing
basically against the values that the Tea Party stands for
took on large rhetorical challenges
“rights are easier to talk about than duties”
Chapter 2
How have candidates like Michelle Bachman and Sarah Palin used historical inaccuracies to make a political point? Be specific. pg 53
Bachman try to connect to locals in New Hampshire by referencing the “shot heard round the world,” but that shot occurred in Concord in MA
Palin used Paul Revere’s ride to inspire her audience, but ultimately used untrue/strange interpretations of the fact in her speech
Dionne states that historical writing over the years has been influenced by the political culture within which an historian writes. Dionne cites several scholars to support this assertion. Briefly describe the ideas of each of the following on the aforementioned issue: Morton White, Richard Hofstadter, and Eric Foner. pg 56-59
White: “depends upon generalizations,” chooses which events to record based on what they think is the most important or has the most value
politics affect how a historian explains a certain event/situation
Hofstadter: interpretation of historical events depends on civic identity and public opinion
historical understandings rely on new historical perspectives
history is present in everything we do
Foner: history is not just facts but a self-understanding about the nature of society
important for how we interpret the past but also how we see our future as a country
How do historians’ personal interests reflect on the topics about which they choose to write? pg 58
could present bias in the topics they choose to write about
show different perspectives on events based on what they are specifically interested in?? skip over other topics that they don't necessarily care to write about??
topics they were focusing on were “anxious, backward-looking, paranoid”
choose which themes are important or worth their energies
subjective interests take over historical writing
Dionne recognizes some revisionist historians. Identify the revisionist focus of each of the following: Gabriel Kolko, Gar Alperowitz, Herbert Gutman, and Howard Zinn. pg 61
Kolko: Progressive era reforms were pushed by business leaders that thought only national government could rationalize the economy
(rationalize: put into practical perspective)
preserve basic economic and social aspects that are essential to capitalism
Alperowitz: challenges aspects of American foreign policy
specifically challenges/analyzes the US’s decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan
Gutman: new approaches to the history of slavery and the American working class
Zinn: “bottom up approach” to writing the American story
before didn't see that history has a pov
Dionne states that there was widespread corruption in American politics during the Reconstruction period. How does he make his case? pg63
political interests and campaigns of the new Republican Party during the time were concerned with power struggles surrounding Reconstruction
moral and political question as to whether southern blacks would be offered equal rights
corruption in American politics isn't new; been part of the political landscape in America
What were the main points of Eric Foner’s 1988 book, Reconstruction? Cite reasons why Dionne believes that this is a quintessential work on the topic of reconstruction pg 65
the book was notable in the emphasis placed on the role of African American leading actors in reconstruction “drama”
african americans were active in the making of reconstruction
doesn’t imply the direct action of trying to establish equal rights
african americans were crucial in the rebuilding of the south/country after the civil war
Dionne observed that historical interpretation is ephemeral (short lived). Using Reconstruction as context, explain how Dionne makes his case. pg 67
1870s revolts against reconstruction
even though actions and feelings towards reform are vibrant, they will lose their vibrancy over time
people who at one time feel a certain way can/will be reduced to feel a different way (or even the complete opposite way)
Chapter 3
In his book, Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville was concerned about unbridled American individualism. What was the source of his concern? pg 70
if it was uncontrolled might lead to the isolation of americans from each other
undermine the freedom they were celebrating
Former President Clinton was noted for using a short anecdote known as the “humble penny” when characterizing the nature of American virtue. What was the point of President Clinton’s story of the humble penny? pg 71
“America is about both individual liberty and community obligation
protect personal freedom and seek common good
individualism and community can coexist
individualism: Abraham Lincoln portrait, ,iverty
community: “we are many one”
What is Louis Hartz’s over-arching central idea, in his book, The Liberal Tradition in America ? Who did Hartz identify as America’s “master philosopher” and why? pg72
master philosopher= John Locke
this writings reflection self interested and profit maximizing of liberal capitalism
Hartz argues that individualism is America’s only authentic political tradition
How does Michael Sandel describe the responsibilities of republican citizenship? (Note republican with a lower case r.) pg 73
responsibilities of republican citizenship requires a knowledge of public affairs and sense of belonging
to be a responsible citizen means to connect to what is best for the greater good
has to be about more than yourself and your own freedoms
In his book, The Dance with Community, how does Robert Booth Fowler describe the “rediscovery of republicanism”? pg 74
sees it as “providing restrained and humble communitarianism”
links to republican revival with the idea that community has expanded over time
What is the main argument made in the book, Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life? pg 75
american individualism was sustained by non-individualistic ideas
non individualistic tendencies have always been part of our history
How do the authors of Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life differentiate between two distinct types of individualism (Benjamin Franklin/Walt Whitman)? pg 76
Ben Franklin individualism:
“utilitarian individualism”
means useful; individualism that was useful to community
Walt Whitman individualism:
“successful life was rich in experience and open to all people”
had a more populist view of being an individual
can be an individual with the presence of a social contract
How did these two types of individualism become manifested in the 1960s? pg 76
understanding the contradictions in the era
time were counterculture that was part of the left with capitalist individualism part of the right created simultaneously
during the 1960s was full of individualism in the way that Whitman viewed it
The authors of Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life also wrote about a “biblical” communitarian concept. Summarize this perspective as described by Dionne. pg 77
some of the puritan beliefs were based on the idea of Christianity and was at the root of our country’s establishment
Gordon Wood in his book, The Creation of the American Republic: 1776-1787, states that true liberty is misunderstood. Summarize his argument. pg 79
according to wood , true liberty is nature liberty that was so restrained that it rendered society to make one great family
everyone consults their neighbor’s feelings as well as their own
always have interest of society as a whole in mind
actions that would benefit myself shouldn't hurt the greater society
How did philosopher Steven Lukes’ differentiate between the French idea of individualism versus the American idea of individualism in the 18th and 19th centuries? pg 81
French:
carried negative connotation, thought it meant to mainly focus ONLY on one’s self
harm other interests in society
“social dissolution” “egoism”
American:
more positive connotation with a meaning suggesting an advanced stage in human development
realization of the final stage of human progress
cohesive society of equal individual rights, limited government, laissez faire, natural justice, equal opportunity
Chapter 4
What was Philip Selznik’s overarching thesis in his book, The Communitarian Persuasion? What point is Dionne making by citing Selznick? pg 84
thesis: communitarianism involves the quest for public philosophy
wanted to make a point that conservatives think that liberals fail to reiterate this point in their political beliefs
reiterate the right’s view on communitarianism and how it can be taught to those in their political radar
purpose of illustrating the lack that liberals had in taking part in caring for those in their communities
What was Amitai Etzioni’s overarching thesis in his book, The Spirit of Community? What point is Dionne making by citing Etzioni? pg 84
stressed the importance to act on responsibilities that democratic citizens have as well as their rights
to show the importance that virtue had (at the time) to the democratic party, when usually this value was normally more present amongst the conservative party
liberals talk ab virtue but don't define what virtue is
Bruce Frohnen, a conservative scholar, says that communitarians are not trying to “found a new school of thought from the ruins of liberalism”. According to Frohnen, what is the goal of communitarians? pg 85
they need to “save liberalism from its own hostility towards authority”
save liberalism from itself
that liberals was creating further problems for themselves and were creating believes that contradicted each other
Dionne believes that the success of the Reagan presidency was largely connected to his ability to convey a brilliantly constructed “mixed message”. Explain what Dionne means. pg 86
“Reagan-style conservatism”:
individualistic at heart, but communitarian in its affect
many criticizers tried to pick at both of these sides
one side says hes a flexible conservative vs other side says he's an extreme ideologue (unmovable position/beliefs)
but Reagan ultimately understood both of problems/desires in the country, individualism vs. spirit of community
Dionne believes that Bill Clinton was paying attention to the success of the Reagan strategy. According to Dionne, Clinton used a “triangulation” political strategy. Explain that strategy. pg 87
triangulation: connect with what most people connect to/ believe
stood tall between both parties and ideologies
like Reagan, understood both sides of what American citizens wanted (individualism vs. communitarianism)
combine individualism with common-good politics
aimed at those threatened by economic change
“opportunity, responsibility, community”
was able to see the side of communitarianism and at the same time not diminish the views of individualism
stressed “personal and mutual responsibility”
Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister Great Britain in the 1980s, stated that “there is no such thing as society”. How did she defend that statement? pg 88
communitarianism during this time was seen as social and AGAINST the individual
impossible to create this society in her opinion because there are “individual men and women and families”
communitarianism during this time was a reaction to liberal weaknesses and their lack of ability to acknowledge it
Explain how Tony Blair’s New Labour Party offered an alternative perspective to Thatcher’s conservative agenda. pg 89-90
community was a “ready-made” concept
challenged a dynamic market economy?
secure laborers rights to inherit all fruits of the factories/organizations they were involved in?
“we achieve more as a community than what we achieve alone”
democratic socialist party
bring together traditionalists and modernizers
Alan Wolfe in his book, Whose Keeper?, criticized the conventional political debate for casting the state and the market as the main mechanisms of social organization. What is his point? pg 92
argues making state and market the main mechanisms of social organization ignores some of the other important organizations that take part in citizens’ lives
family, neighborhood, workplace, etc
loose certain fellowships
John Rawls, in his book Theory of Justice, writes about a “veil of ignorance”. Explain this idea. pg 93-94
“veil of ignorance”: not knowing whether you would find yourself at the top, bottom, or somewhere in between of society’s class structure
only inequalities that people approve of/agree with would be the ones that render everyone better off
egalitarianism: aim of protecting yourself from the worst outcomes
“rich could get richer as long as the activities that brought them wealth made everyone else richer too”
society would then redistribute wealth to accommodate for those who fall behind in the race for success/achievement
How did Michael Walzer, in his book Spheres of Justice, challenge Rawls’ idea of a veil of ignorance? pg 93
what would individuals like us to choose NOT what would rational individuals choose
going against the fact that everyone would agree to equity and equality if they didn't know where they fit socially
If all politics is local, is all philosophy local?
distributive justice is a local accountability
What is Michael Sandel’s critique of John Rawls? What are his specific challenges? pg 94
claims there is no such thing as a free-floating self
living in certain loyalties and convictions that are products of choice
living by them is “inseparable from understanding ourselves as the particular persons we are”
all members of this community/nation
all part of the great experiment of America
In 1996 Michael Sandel wrote Democracy’s Discontent: America in Search of a Public Philosophy. What was his overarching argument in this book? pg 94
connected republican history with communitarian politics
our discontents have come from a very narrow view of freedom which produced a “procedural republic”
republican ideas went directly against that sayings that liberty depends of self-government which requires a sense of community
we cannot achieve liberty because we can’t collectively build the sense of community and civic engagement that liberty requires
republican (lowercase r): form of government that has elected officials
Chapter 5
What are George Will’s thoughts on the role of government in “legislating morality”? pg 102
writes that it is obvious that government should not legislate morality, but that it does anyways
should do so more often?
doesn't do anything more important
conservatism = consultation of certain values or it is nothing
How did Kim Phillips-Fein in her book Invisible Hands, describe the rise of conservatism? pg 103
conservatism = in opposition to Roosevelt
rise of conservatism was the work of a group of business leaders who saw the New Deal as a fundamental challenge to their power and their place in society
Explain how Friedrich von Hayek’s book, The Road to Serfdom, served as inspiration to the Tea Party movement specifically and to libertarianism ideology in general. pg 103
because Nazim was seen as an extremist right movement at the time he wrote the book
New Dealism could be compared to National Socialism
state planning → leads to collectivism and dictatorship (in his eyes)
How did political scientist Donald Devine define/summarize fusionism? pg 105
“utilizing libertarian means in a conservative society for traditionalist ends”
believed american society was conservative to its core
allowed conservative movement to accommodate many tendencies (worked better in opposition)
How do Peter Berger and Richard John Neuhaus in their essay, To Empower People, explain what they call the “double crisis”? pg 106
a crisis for individuals who are met with demands from two spheres
citizens experiencing contrast between public and private life
Historian Daniel T. Rodgers observed the rise of a “new metaphor” in the 1970s concerning the issue of civic virtue. What was that metaphor and explain Rodgers’ point? pg 110
the metaphor of marketplace
claimed that rational economic choice could explain everything
detachment from history and institutions
“socially detached array from economic actors, free to choose and optimize…”
How did the nature of evangelicalism change at the beginning of the 20th century? Explain. pg 111
used to be associated with movements of social reform
but at the beginning of the 20th century, reforms adopted liberal theological view
more interested in actually pursuing the social reform and NOT spread the Good News of salvation (how a conservative would see the Social Gospel movement
fundamentalists became evangelicals
also focused less on prophetic aspects of the Christian failed but more on personal/individual salvation
According to Dionne, when considering the evangelical perspective, how did Christ’s role in the world change? pg 111
people began focusing more on the individual promises for salvation that Jesus made rather than what he did to save everyone as a collective whole
more “how Jesus changed my life” rather than “how Jesus changed the world”
Dionne states that George W. Bush was the last conservative president to act on conservative communitarianism. What example does Dionne cite to support his assertion? pg 112- 113
had a faith-based initiative
used PUBLIC action to promote PERSONAL change
1999 speech in Indianapolis “The Duty of Hope”
break free from pure free market conservatism
stressed personal conversion with a sense of societal obligation
would show he was concerned about the poor (liberal side)
understand limit of government and individual change (conservative side)
What are two examples cited by Dionne that support the idea that G.W. Bush’s idea of “compassionate conservatism” was more than political rhetoric? pg 113-114
1. government provides the only real compassion
to appeal to conservatives
what is done by leading people through church and charity is secondary and marginal
but not to the people who receive the benefits (the less privileged)
2. if government got out of the way, all our problems would be solved
to appeal to the liberals, he labeled “destructive”
but “not who we are as Americans”
country of “rugged individualism but also second chances”
tried to help AIDS victims in Africa
investment of substantial political capital in education reform programs
In his book, Heroic Conservatism, Michael Gerson comments on the complexity of finding a political identity in modern conservatism. How does Gerson make his point? pg 116-117
modern conservatism is missing one thing: conscience
need to not be so completely anti-government
need to realize that some of their beliefs contradict each other?
they can’t believe one thing but another thing at the same time
cannot simply be pure individualists anymore and need more sense in their arguments?
some people fall between conservatism and other beliefs because of the contradicting beliefs of conservatism (neoconservatism)
Michael Gerson’s ideas created some debate in conservative circles. Ross Douthat, a conservative writer, claimed that Gerson’s ideas were a betrayal to the conservative perspective. How does Dionne defend Gerson’s argument? pg 119
Douthat argues that Gerson’s ideas aren't conservative anymore because of his arguments advocating for limited government etc
claims that his beliefs are indistinguishable from liberal views
“all heroism and no conservatism”
defends by saying that Gerson wasn't trying to destroy conservatism
trying to reconnect contemporary right (neoconservatism) to earlier forms of conservatism that did stress both community obligations and individual rights
According to Dionne, what are the three ways in which conservatism challenges the progressive worldview? pg 120-121
1. conservatives are suspicious of innovation and constantly interrogate/question new plans/technology
2. conservatives respect old things and old habits
3. conservatives have a suspicion of human nature and a belief that people cannot be remolded like plastic
human nature does not change radically
attempts to alter human nature risks descent into totalitarianism