The American Political Mind

by Francis Graham Wilson

From the Every teacher of political theory in the United States is concerned with the interpretation of the American tradition. There is some controversy, however, over the interpretation of each period in the development of the American political mind. It is not, I think, the primary function of a textbook to attempt a resolution of these lasting but ever-changing interpretations of politics, though no author can succeed in keeping his own views completely hidden. A textbook should, however, do certain things. (It should present an organization of the material that most instructors can accept, at least with limited modifications. It should survey the material that, in general, is agreed to be important, and at the same time each instructor should feel that the subject matter is a logical beginning point for the development of his own interpretations. . . .

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1949