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From International Socialism, No.21, Summer 1965, p.30.
Transcribed & marked up by by Einde O’Callaghan for ETOL.
A Nation So Conceived
Reinhold Neibuhr & Alan Heimert
Faber, 21s.
This book claims to analyse American character in terms of three main themes: the quest for national identity; the change from agrarian to industrial economy; and the American sense of mission – ‘from our original dreams to global responsibilities and frustrations.’ Each of these themes is treated – with sick Hegelianism – as the confused Idea working itself out in confusing History. The authors have obviously worked hard – one wonders why – on this book and unearthed a horde of amusing quotations from the American past – e.g. The Out-Populating Power of the Christian Stock.
A note on the back of the title page warns that the book was ‘prepared for the centre for the study of democratic institutions in connection with the study of the American character’. Those who read further will find their forebodings more than justified.
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Last updated on 11.9.2007