The Promise of American Life by Herbert David Croly is a seminal work that delves into American politics and the ideological shifts of the early 20th century. In this influential book, Croly explores the tension between conservatism and progressivism, emphasizing the need for economic reform and social change to address social inequalities and improve American life. The book advocates for the Progressive movement, which aimed to promote economic and social reforms to enhance the quality of life for all Americans. Croly argues that effective government intervention is crucial for guiding societal progress and implementing public policies that address the needs of the nation. Central to Croly's analysis is the role of nationalism in shaping American identity and the potential of progressivism to fulfill the promise of American life. He contends that a reformed approach to governance and public policy is necessary to achieve the ideals of equality and prosperity envisioned by the nation's founders. Overall, The Promise of American Life provides a critical examination of the American political landscape, advocating for a balanced role of government in driving social and economic advancements while navigating the complex interplay between conservative and progressive ideologies.

The Promise of American Life by Herbert David Croly The average American is nothing if not patriotic. "The Americans are filled," says Mr. Emil Reich in his "Success among the Nations," "with such an implicit and absolute confidence in their Union and in their future success that any remark other than laudatory is inacceptable to the majority of them. We have had many opportunities of hearing public speakers in America cast doubts upon the very existence of God and of Providence, question the historic nature or veracity of the whole fabric of Christianity; but never has it been our fortune to catch the slightest whisper of doubt, the slightest want of faith, in the chief God of America-unlimited belief in the future of America." Mr. Reich's method of emphasis may not be very happy, but the substance of what he says is true. The faith of Americans in their own country is religious, if not in its intensity, at any rate in its almost absolute and universal authority. It pervades the air we breathe. As children we hear it asserted or implied in the conversation of our elders. Every new stage of our educational training provides some additional testimony on its behalf. Newspapers and novelists, orators and playwrights, even if they are little else, are at least loyal preachers of the Truth. The skeptic is not controverted; he is overlooked. It constitutes the kind of faith which is the implication, rather than the object, of thought, and consciously or unconsciously it enters largely into our personal lives as a formative influence. We may distrust and dislike much that is done in the name of our country by our fellow-countrymen; but our country itself, its democratic system, and its prosperous future are above suspicion. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.

The Promise of American Life is a book published by Herbert Croly, founder of The New Republic, in 1909. This book opposed aggressive unionization and supported economic planning to raise general quality of life.

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