Woodrow Wilson and the Roots of Modern Liberalism (American Intellectual Culture) Paperback – January 17, 2005

Really a magnificent work! It is a well documented, well constructed, scholarly work describing Wilson's perspective and influence using his own words. This is not a "he said, she said" interpretation but rather the author goes right to the source: "Philosophy of History," by Hegel, "The State," "Constitutional Government," lecture notes and other writings of Wilson.I started highlighting and dog earing every bombshell, surprise, and "Oh My God" I came across and while still in the introduction I realized I would be dog earing nearly every page! It's not "easy" reading but for someone who knows and understands the Constitution, this book reads like a Stephen King nightmare. Here's a couple of the biggest shockers (teasers not spoilers):Through "historicism" Wilson concluded that the Constitution must be unbolted from the "unalienable rights" of the Declaration of Independence it embodies and have it basically "float" in context through history. The Constitution should mean whateverthehell we want it to mean today. He felt that the Constitution should not be anchored in its old, antiquated 18th century connotation and should be modernized and updated. After all, "slavery" is a term of revulsion today. Not so in the 18th century. So we can expect a term like "freedom" to mean something different as well!THAT is a bombshell!Here's another. Wilson believed and wrote about how we as a society have evolved beyond the need to be wary of government power. He offers no proof, no explanation just classic "trust me" assumptions. Concerns about too much centralized power are shrugged off as antiquated thinking. With the government tied closely to the people so that they (the people) can more intimately communicate the "will of the people" to the president, and with an educated president answerable to the people, the citizenry need not fear government. The sophomoric naivety of such a powerful man who rose to the presidency is incredible! Lord Acton ("Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely!") might disagree with Wilson. This idea that government can be a POSITIVE force--that it is a tool to give the people what they want has some of its origins and most of its empowerment with Wilson. This idea is alive and well today and is clearly the source of many problems with government.What I found most disturbing is the parallels I could easily draw between Wilson's writings and today's political rhetoric. We are most definitely NOT out of the Progressive Era. We are smack in the middle of it!This is more than enlightening. More than educational. It is important. It should be wide read and common knowledge. It's the kind of book you should give to a friend to read after you're done.

In this book, Pestritto delves into the education and political ideologies of Woodrow Wilson. He uses many of Wilson's writings during his education to show the historicist nature of his political upbringing and, throughout the work, Pestritto supports his idea that Wilson's thinking differed substantially from the political thinking of the founders. Pestritto also uses the writings to show Wilson's praise and support of foreign governments such as the British parliamentary system. Pestritto presents a radical new vision for these modern times. I have heard and read many things about Woodrow Wilson, but this is the first piece that offers a truly critical view of Wilson's political ideology. Pestritto delivers his argument masterfully with in depth evidence from Wilson's scholarly writings and firsthand accounts. Nearly all of his evidence comes from Wilson's literary works such as Constitutional Government and The State among others. The Analysis of Wilson's thought is thorough, well organized and planned, straight to the point. Pestritto does not beat around the bush in this book, which should receive high praise, especially during these modern times when politics are aiming to misguide and deceive the people of their true intentions. This book is not accompanied by graphics or visual aids but rather is a straight up read which may get extremely dry at times. One strategy that Pestritto uses that I find extremely helpful is that he writes down all of his sources and side notes at the end of each chapter, including the introduction and conclusion. I would say that although this book is fairly straight forward and well developed, it may be confusing to less experienced readers. Personally, I think that Pestritto presents a very convincing argument that has changed my views of Woodrow Wilson. Before, I hadn't heard much in depth thinking of Wilson and had assumed all the praise given to him was a worthy justification. But now I see Wilson for what he represented and can only wonder how an extreme radical could gain so much power and influence over the people. I applaud Pestritto for his work, though I was quite bored and confused at times, because it shows the side of Wilson that was beforehand ignored, whether it was unintentional or deliberate. Not only has this book given me insight on one of the greatest political minds of the early twentieth century, but it has revealed why some aspects of the modern political realm have become so skewed from that of the Constitution and of the founding thought. I strongly advise anyone and everyone to read this book, whether or not it changes your view of Woodrow Wilson. I believe that this book could be a cornerstone to present political thought because it reveals so much about the thinking behind progressivism.Note: This critique was written as a homework assignment. Any feedback is greatly appreciated