THE INVENTION OF LIBERAL DEMOCRACY

Monday, September 8
6. Liberalism as an “Unintended Consequence” of other Motivations.

Today's Assumption: The preconditions for liberalism were not about liberalism at all.  If they had been, liberalism as we know it might not have come to pass.

Max Weber, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, chapter 5: PRINT AND READ

"Europe Triumphant," in Cyril Black, et al., Rebirth: A Political History (PDF FILE)

Wednesday, September 10
7. The Revolutionary Power of Mass Politics.

Today's Assumption: The tumultuous intrusion of the "unwashed and unwanted" into the political arena was totally unanticipated by those who made it possible. Yet the rise of “mass politics” could only have happened in this way. Why?

George Fasel: "French Politics"

The French National Assembly: “Declaration of the Rights of Man” (Reader)

Kingdon: America the Unusual, ch. 4

Friday, September 12
8. Discussion Section.

Discussion #3: Why are we all Protestants?

Monday, September 15
9. The Rise of the Political Party: Cadre Parties, Mass Parties, and the Catch-all Party

Today's Assumption: Catch-all parties are not only the most modern vessels of liberal politics. They are essentially the same wherever you go in the liberal West.

Kingdon: America the Unusual, ch. 2

Wednesday, September 17
10. Fascism versus the Welfare State . . . and it's a darn good thing the latter won.

Today's Assumptions:

1) The success of liberal democracy was not inevitable. It was nearly obliterated by its enemies.

2) Politicians like to criticize the welfare state, but it's far better to be live in one than in the system the West (or at least western Europe) could have inherited.

Fascism:

Benito Mussolini, "The Doctrine of Fascism” (Reader)

Johannes Steinhoff, Peter Pechel, and Dennis Showalter: "Voices from the Third Reich" (PDF FILE)

Optional: Read and reflect upon what American fascists believe: National Socialism Warning: This is an offensive site.

The Welfare State:

Kingdon: America the Unusual, chapters 1 and 3.

And, Comparing Welfare States

Friday, September 19
11. Discussion Section.

Discussion #4: Why we are not fascists. Fascism vs. the Welfare State

Your REFLECTIVE ESSAY assignment is RIGHT HERE. It is due next Friday. Your TA will tell you when and where to deliver it.

 

Monday, September 22
12. Liberalism is a Necessarily Conflictual Process.

Today's Assumption: Contemporary Liberalism isn't what it was in the past. It will be different in the future. If it doesn’t change, it isn't Liberalism!

Kingdon:  America the Unusual, ch. 5.

For examples from Notre Dame’s tumultuous past, see:  "Notre Dame Students vs. the Ku Klux Klan” (Reader).   For a more recent Notre Dame conflict, see: Elizabeth Christman: "The Story of Notre Dame" (Reader).

REQUIRED EVENING FILM I “CSNY:  Déjà vu” Monday, Sept. 22, 7:00 p.m., or Tuesday, Sept. 23, 7:00 p.m. Location for both showings: TBA Written by Mike Cerre (ND ’69) and Neil Young Mike is an Emmy award winning journalist and Neil is a musician This is a film about Rock & Roll music and political protest.  In preparation for watching it, listen to Mike and Neil HERE and read about your generation HERE.

Wednesday, September 24
13. Discussion Section.

Discussion section #5: What is American liberalism today and why do we (sometimes) find it uncomfortable?

We will have an in-class discussion today instead of a lecture. Prepare for this discussion by re-reading the assignments for Monday and reflecting on "CSNY:  Déjà vu.”

Friday, September 26
14. No Discussion Section.

Your first REFLECTIVE ESSAY is due on this date. It is your responsibility to make sure your TA receives your essay in time. Because there are no discussion sections on this date, he will tell you exactly where and by what hour you must turn in your paper. Your essay should be in hard-copy form, stapled, and include your name and that of your TA on the first page.

Course Flow Chart	Electronic Reserves	Hesburgh Library