Building New Deal Liberalism: The Political Economy of Public Works, 1933–1956

by Jason Scott Smith

Reconstructing the story of how reformers used public authority to reshape the nation, Jason Scott Smith argues that the New Deal produced a revolution in state-sponsored economic development. The scale and scope of this dramatic federal investment in infrastructure laid crucial foundations--sometimes literally--for postwar growth, prestaging the national highways and the military-industrial complex. This impressive and exhaustively researched analysis underscores the importance of the New Deal in comprehending political and economic change in modern America.

Genres: History

300 pages, Hardcover

First published November 7, 2005

About the author

An award-winning author and teacher, Jason Scott Smith is associate professor of history at the University of New Mexico.

Reviews

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating analysis of the political economy of the New Deal! The best book I've come across on this subject.

[Shawn Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smith's writing is concise, clear, and coherent. His analysis of the public works programs under the New Deal is refreshingly new and well researched. It is quite apparent that Smith has tapped into a topic that has remained relatively untouched by New Deal scholars. Yet there are several issues with his argument. Smith consistently takes the positivist role in his argument; he continuously asserts that historians' emphasis on the New Deal's failures in procuring massive unemployment are not important in comparison to the successes of the public works projects. The problem with that, however, is that he rarely engages with the consequences of not addressing mass unemployment on the part of the Hoover, Roosevelt, and Truman administrations. Smith also neglects to truly appreciate the social aspects of the economy. Granted, he tries to avoid the repetition in themes on the New Deal, but the influence of the New Deal economics on race and the influence of race on the economy are noticeably absent from the pages of his argument (not entirely true, as it is brought up in the epilogue, for a brief summary). Smith's work is mostly a revelation. It engages quite spiritedly with a topic that has not been discussed much, and he does an excellent job in breaking down his arguments. Yet in the end, his argument would be greatly improved wit ha stronger interaction with the economy's relation to society and the consequences incurred by the New Deal.

[Jason S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well written, well researched history. Argues that New Deal public works programs, while not successful in creating full employment, reshaped the American economy both during the 30s and long after. Traces the origins of the word boondoggle and other connections between politics and public works that are relevant in the Obama era (although the book does not make that connection, published in 06).

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough look at the New Deal which explains its lasting impact to the present day. A little stats-heavy at times, and perhaps it could do more to detail its shortcomings, but for those historians who want background, stories and quotes on the New Deal, this should be on your shelf.

[Mscout · Rating 2 out of 5]

Admittedly not my cup of tea, but could have been ~100pp shorter if he'd refrained from redundancy...