ePub Illiberal Reformers: Race; Eugenics; and American Economics in the Progressive Era by Thomas C. Leonard in History

Review

88 of 90 people found the following review helpful. This book is a mind bender; not only because ...By Jeffrey TuckerThis book is a mind bender; not only because this history is largely unknown but also because it scrambles everything you think you know about the right; the left; race; gender; regulation; labor law; and much else. My own takeaway concerns new insight into the founding motivation behind the managerial/technocratic/invasive state that was born during the first two decades of the 20th century. It would appear; based on this research; that eugenics -- and the white supremacy that drove this wicked ideology -- had much to do with it. It was even central. It was the scientific consensus. I'm so grateful to Professor Leonard for doing the hard work here. And by the way; I followed up on a number of his sources; reading the original documents against his report. If anything; the author slightly downplays the malice and crankishness of the writers he is exposing here. Just imagine a whole academic class united in a death wish for non-whites; and determined to use the state to carry out its aims: here is what is being exposed in this riveting book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Timely rebuke of "experts" and governmentBy RosebudThis history of the Progressive Era aggressively displays how the so-called experts can influence government to make policies that are grave mistakes.2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A critical history of Progressivism's complex and troubled pastBy applewoodIlliberal Reformers gives a wonderfully detailed and engagingly written account of the somewhat convoluted and paradoxical history of the early 20th century American Progressive Movement. It is especially useful given that the movement continues today but with sometimes contradictory ideologies (often in naive self-denial of these roots). Even though it isn't a very flattering picture of Progressivism's roots (with its abundance of elitist notions of overt racism; eugenics; and secular Puritan do-gooderism); I'd think it would be something modern Progressives would want to study too; if only to clarify (and perhaps distance!) their own current positions within the larger umbrella of the historical label.For those of us not so enamored with Progressivism's ongoing meddling this book is a delight - well researched; abundantly footnoted and wryly critical from the perspective of 100 years on. It answered many nagging and lingering questions I've had for decades about how such a movement could gain such widespread acceptance and influence (an outgrowth of the late 19th century fascination with social Darwinism and the push to administer society with scientific efficiency) and so drastically change the direction of American politics and culture; as well as explain the variety of contradictory positions held by Progressives then. Most importantly it showed me how the modern Progressive ideas arose and have morphed (while staying in orbit around that core elitist top down ideal of centralized planning) over time.The book is roughly divided into two parts; the first third being a history of the movement's ascendency (idealistic secular reformers; beginning with the rebellious children of New England ministers) followed by more detailed discussion of various specific (and now often controversial) policy issues (such as valuing labor; social Darwinism; eugenics; control and limitation of minorities; immigrants and women).I don't remember the word being used by the author; but what is being described here is fascism (a third way form of socialism with central government's administration of consolidated corporate industries for the greater good); a policy the Americans embraced; but one the Europeans then made infamous; and one which is ubiquitous today in a sanitized friendly smiley-faced form. Apparently hope springs eternal and the excesses of early American Progressives; Italian Fascists and German Nazis are conveniently ignored today as the modern variety maintains devout faith in their ability to manage a mixed economy; achieving the impossible in spite of all evidence to the contrary; and that they are (as the authors say about their predecessors) like "nearly all economic reformers were; supremely confident that Hamiltonian means could be made to serve Jeffersonian ends; so long as the "wise minority" was in the saddle." (p. 60)One thing I have always wondered is how our classically liberal Constitutional Republic was able to shift so drastically left (resulting in the ascendancy of the Executive Branch); and this book makes that clear;“Administrative government in turn demanded that the divided powers of the US government be consolidated. The Constitution’s separation-of-powers doctrine; which decentralized power by design; was as inefficient and obsolete as was the “planless scramble of little profiteers” in the age of consolidated industry. Efficient administration required that government; like industry; be consolidated; centralized; organized and administered.” (p.65)Or as; “Woodrow Wilson; on the campaign trail in 1912; told voters that it was time for the federal government to be liberated from its outmoded eighteenth-century scheme of checks and balance…. The adaptation Wilson had in mind was to neutralize Congress and consolidate power in a vigorous executive…. The president; as the only government official who faced a national election; should be “at liberty; in both law and in conscience; to be as big a man as he can;” Wilson wrote. Only “his capacity will set the limit” to his power.” (p. 66)Of course what had to follow first was the 17th amendment; but the thread led on directly to Obama’s “I’ve got a pen and I’ve got a phone” version of executive action. All rather tame compared to the other "big men" of the 20th century - like Mussolini; Hitler; Stalin; Mao and Pol Pot - which unfortunately Wilson passed away before getting to witness lead their nations.But life goes on; and I guess to be charitable I’d have to say the American Experiment is ongoing; in ever greater complexity; with ever changing parameters; and so far at least it still continues…