Not Much Left: The Fate of Liberalism in America

Political writer Waldman (We All Want to Change the World: Rock and Politics from Elvis to Eminem) takes a hard look at the near-death experience of liberalism in American politics, and assesses its chances for recovery. Looking back, Waldman shows how liberalism was reinterpreted several times from 1932 to 1972, especially in FDR's New Deal and the ""pivotal year"" of 1968 when, after the assassination of Robert Kennedy, the Democratic Party was torn apart by dissent (most notably over Vietnam policy). George McGovern's groundbreaking 1972 presidential bid expanded the big tent of liberalism, welcoming the counterculture and incorporating issues like women's and gays' rights, but his defeat makes the campaign both ""the triumphant final act of the '60s,"" and the ""essential starting point to trace the decline of liberalism"" over the next forty years. Waldman suggests that today's young activists may have to ""create a new liberalism"" of their own; he sees in the current, tumultuous American moment an opportunity for the resurgence of liberal politics. Though it's got special appeal for lefties, Waldman's cogent historical-political analysis is sure to engage election junkies of any political persuasion.