American Liberalism

“A vigorous defense of the American liberal tradition.” — Political Science Quarterly

“A full-throated, multidimensional defense of liberalism against critics. . . . Recommended.” — CHOICE

“If we ever get to a point where a liberal renaissance in American politics comes to be . . . we'll have McGowan’s book . . . to thank for that moment’s inspiration.” — American Book Review

“[In American Liberalism] McGowan argues passionately that Americans need to truly understand liberalism and its close relationship to democracy. . . . He’s not interested in converting readers to liberalism but in ensuring that they understand its contributions to the very foundations of U.S. democracy.” — Booklist

“Political consultants will say, 'John McGowan has written a spirited, on-message defense of the Liberal brand.' Intellectuals will commend his erudition and his rigorous reasoning. And general readers will cheer McGowan as a graceful writer and shrewd thinker who understands political reality and not just academic theory.” — Walter Shapiro, Washington bureau chief, Salon.com, and author of One-Car Caravan: On the Road with the 2004 Democrats before America Tunes In

“'There is — and can be — nothing simple about liberalism.' So writes John McGowan in his rigorous and bracing defense of American liberalism — its stringent anti-totalitarianism, its cultural pluralism, and its radical egalitarianism. Nor is there is anything simple about McGowan’s analysis. This is precisely the right book at the right time, a must-read not only for liberalism’s embattled adherents but for all those, on the right and on the left, who have been trafficking in caricatures of liberalism for the past few decades. Attentive to injustices past and present, vigilant about tyrannies of all kinds, McGowan reminds us why the liberal tradition remains good to think with — and good to live by.” — Michael Bérubé, Pennsylvania State University