Reassessing the Sixties: Debating the Political and Cultural Legacy

by Stephen Macedo (Editor)

Our political and personal lives continue to be lived in the broad wake of the 1960s. Basic conflicts came to the fore in that decade and continue to define our more egalitarian race and gender relations; a new openness with respect to sexuality; greater concern for the environment; higher rates of divorce, drug abuse, and crime; and a greater willingness to challenge authorities of all sorts. For some, American finally took seriously its founding commitments to freedom and equality in the 1960s. For others, the cultural changes wrought by that decade are destroying the moral infrastructure on which a healthy liberal democracy depends. All agree that America was irrevocably changed as a result of this tumultuous period. This collections brings together original essays by America's leading political thinkers on such topics as gender roles, sexuality, the family, education, and race. They take stock of the deep changes brought about by the 1960s and assess the impact of these changes on the health of America. The juxtaposition of these commentaries spanning the ideological spectrum makes for highly provocative and engaging reading.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

304 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 1997

Reviews

[Richard Brownell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly even-handed collection of essays from scholars with varying positions on the political and social ramifications of the 1960s. We get to hear a little from both sides of the debate - thoughts ranging from the irreparable harm that the decade caused America to how it saved America from itself. Of course, Todd Gitlin, former New Left activist and former president of Students for a Democratic Society, does get the last word and does put in a commentary that defends against the conservative position.

The book was published in the mid-90s, so the essays flow through the prism of positive and negative reaction to the Clinton administration, when the president was pretty much at the height of his powers. On that basis, it makes for more a time-capsule view of the 60s rather than a thoroughly modern take. But worth a look.