The New Progressive Era: Toward a Fair and Deliberative Democracy / Edition 1

by Peter Levine

Overview

A century ago, Americans launched a period of civic renewal and political reform. Today, amid deep dissatisfaction with our major institutions, there are signs that a new movement may revive the spirit of the original Progressive Era. Peter Levine draws inspiration from the great Progressive leader Robert M. La Follete, Sr., and his circle, which included John Dewey, Jane Addams, and Louis Brandeis. He discusses the shortcomings of this group as well as their successes, but he argues that their ideal of a fair and deliberative democracy is right for our time. Combining their philosophy and experience with the best contemporary proposals, Levine advocates campaign finance reform, an entirely different approach to regulation, new styles of journalism and civic education, and fundamental changes in the tax system. Combining philosophical arguments, historical background, empirical data, and concrete proposals, The New Progressive Era offers today's most comprehensive plan for civic renewal and political reform.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780847695744
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/22/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.92(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.57(d)

About the Author

Peter Levine is research scholar at the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction Part 2 Part One: Background and Diagnosis Chapter 3 Lessons from the First Progressive Era Chapter 4 The Emergence of Modern Politics Chapter 5 Trends in Civil Society Part 6 Part Two: Reform Proposals Chapter 7 Elections Chapter 8 Journalism in the Public Interest Chapter 9 Legislation and Regulation Chapter 10 Civil Society

Editorial Reviews

Peter Levine's new book represents an important new voice in our national deliberations about how to revitalize American democracy. It is a thorough, thoughtful account of the contemporary relevance of the ideas and innovations of the Progressive Era and a persuasive case for a new progressive agenda in American politics.

Robert D. Putnam

Some books you read and put aside. Others you send to friends; this is one of those books. Peter Levine brings a rich historical and philosophical perspective to an immediate and practical question: What is going to be the effect of all the effort that has gone into civic renewal in the last decade? What it will take to make democracy work as it should will be an especially pressing issue in the 2000 elections. Americans are already frustrated by a political system where money, rather than people, seems to do the voting. This book speaks to everyone from journalists to foundation executives to teachers to members of civic organizations to all citizens. Don't miss reading it.

David Mathews

The author is to be lauded for his scope and positive view of troublesome issues in the U.S. Useful for undergraduate and general library collections.

Choice Reviews

A serious attempt to apply a philosophically coherent position to some of our most important political problems.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

Nevertheless, some of these books are useful. Peter Levine's The New Progressive Era makes a good go of it. It's a readable and thoughtful argument.

The American Prospect

The author is to be lauded for his scope and positive view of troublesome issues in the U.S. Useful for undergraduate and general library collections.

Choice

The author is to be lauded for his scope and positive view of troublesome issues in the U.S. Useful for undergraduate and general library collections.

CHOICE