Part II: America's Two Coalition System": Shifting factions, evolving ideologies
Study Guide for the second exam
15. The Rise of New Deal Liberalism
READ: 550 Readings Book 2: 2-7 AND, in Docs2 Appendix, Alterman & Mattson, The Cause, pp. 2-12 (the page numbers of the original book).
The reading traces the development of American political ideologies through three phases: Hamilton v. Jefferson; Whigs v. Democrats; and Liberals v. Conservatives (there’ll be more on the conservatives later). A lot of this should be review from your US history class, which most folks take in 11th grade. Feel free to bring in information you may recall from taking US history.
For tomorrow, make sure you have purchased the book from the bookstore.
16. The rise of conservatism
READ Story & Laurie, Rise of Conservatism, 1-20, and Story & Laurie documents 5, 7, 9, 11
What are the key differences between liberals and conservatives?
17. The Politics of Backlash
READ Docs2 appendix, Alterman & Mattson, excerpts, 238-284; and Story & Laurie documents 15, 20, 24, 37.
QF: Racism, pure and simple, explains the defection of white working class voters from the Democratic Party.
18. The triumph of conservatism.
READ Story & Laurie, 20-31 & document #30; Docs2 appendix, Alterman & Mattson, excerpts, 360-427.
VIEW: This Bush campaign ad that was mentioned on p. 21 of Story and Laurie. And watch these two videos from "The West Wing" TV series, a liberal fantasy from the Bush administration. Bruno; and "Liberal".
QFs: Democrats pushed the white working class away; Republicans lured them in; Racism was a factor. The DLC saved the Democratic Party.
19. Populism and anti-populism
READ: 550 Readings packet, book 2: 7-23; & VIEW: The Rant that Started the Tea Party Movement
QF: Populism is mostly about scapegoating "enemies of the people."
Take a few minutes to prepare for our METIC. Get a blank piece of white paper, and write about the quality of Harkness/the learning environment in this class. Make two lists. What is going well. What could be improved upon. Tuck this piece of paper into a book that you bring to class every day. During class, we'll pass these around and read them anonymously and then have a discussion about them.
20. Populism and Democracy
READ: Docs2, appendix, Mounk, "The Populist Threat to Liberal Democracy"; And in Docs2 appendix: the excerpt from Get Up, Stand Up (the last document in the appendix). VIEW: this video, with Anne Case and Angus Deaton on "deaths of despair." BRING THE OTHER READER (BOOK 2) ALSO.
QF: Populism is what democracy looks like.
21. Exam #2. Oct. 20. Little Grainger is not available, so:
B format will be taking the exam in room 108 of Phillips Hall.
C format will take it in room 104 of Phillips Hall.
Here is the study guide for this unit. And here is a general guide with tips for doing in-class essays.
22. Trump, Democrats, and the Election of 2024
READ: 550 Readings Book 2: 208-234. Or you may read the latest news on the Trump administration. None of this will be on the test.
Did Trump win the working class or did the Democratic party once again lose it?
23. Polarization.
READ: 550 Readings Book 2: 23-51 and Docs2 appendix, "Once More Into the Breach," by Morris Fiorina.
QF: The media is exaggerating polarization. The president of the United States posted this video during spending negotiations.
24. Depolarization
READ: 550 Readings Book 2: 51-73. and the appendix, "Notes from the Circus, On Cancel Culture" (it's the second-to-last document)
QF: Depolarization is our only hope; HIS550 students will go on to be agents of depolarization ..... right?
EXTRA: Video on how primaries polarize.
You can take the More In Common Hidden Tribes Quiz.