Halstead and Lind: “The First Three Americas” The Radical Center American Tradition Halstead and Lind: “The First Three Americas” The Radical Center

Reading Questions What Are The Key Values And Institutions Of America, According To Halstead And Lind? Name A Key Factor Related To The Birth And Death Of Each American Republic. Which Groups “Rose” And “Fell” During Each American Republic? Exercise: Are We Nearing Or Has Our Third American Republic Been Replaced? If So, What Might Or Has Replaced The Third American Republic? If Not, Why Has It Not Been Replaced?

Tradition Myth: America Maintains Its Traditions; Few Significant Changes Exist Theory: America’s Core Values & Institutions Are Constant (Across All “Three American Republics”) Theory: American “Experiences” Are Constant Throughout American History Change Myth: America Is Constantly Changing, Always Reinventing Itself Throughout Its History Theory: America’s Core Values & Institutions Are Always Changing Throughout America’s History Theory: American Experiences Vary Across All Three American Republics

Tradition Myth: Core Values & Institutions Constant Throughout American History Liberty Equality (of Opportunity) Solidarity Core Institutions Market State Community Change Myth: Core Values & Institutions Change Their Function Throughout American History Values Take On Different Meanings Then And Now Institutions Play Different Roles Then And Now

“Tradition Myth” Hypothesis Test: Values & Institutions Should Find Relatively Similar Presence Of Values & Institutions In Each So-Called “American Republic” Example: The Same Liberties Spelled Out In The Constitution Are As Applicable In 1798 As They Are In 2002. Results: No Significant Laws Or Policies Undermine Constitutional Civil Liberties “Change Myth” Hypothesis Test: Values & Institutions Should Find Significant Differences For Values And Institutions In Each Of The Three American Republics Example: The Concept Of Liberty Has Significantly Changed For Americans Between 1798 And 2002. Results: There Has Been A Decline In Respect For Civil Liberties Since 1798 (Sedition Act, Habeas Corpus Suspended By Lincoln, Red Scare, McCarthyism & Patriot Act

“Tradition Myth” Hypothesis Test: American Experiences Should Find Relatively Similar Presence Of American Experiences In Each So-Called “American Republic” Example: The Same Events Repeat Themselves, As If In A Repetitive Cycle Results: American History Of Boom & Bust Cycle (Panic of 1837, Great Depression, 1970s Recessions, Stock Market Crash Of 1987) “Change Myth” Hypothesis Test: American Experiences Should Find Significant Differences For American Experiences In Each Of The Three American Republics Example: The Great Depression Of 1929 Fundamentally Altered The United States, Killing The Second American Republic & Giving Birth To A Third American Republic Results: Government Involvement In The Economy In The Third American Republic (New Deal, Great Society, Compassionate Conservatism) Is Unprecedented In American History

Exercise Provide Your Own Hypothesis Test Of The “American Tradition Myth” As Well As The “American Change Myth” For Core Values & Institutions, Using Halstead & Lind’s History Of The United States Provide Your Own Hypothesis Test Of The “American Tradition Myth” As Well As The “American Change Myth” For American Experiences, Using Halstead & Lind’s History Of The United States Which Myth Receives Greater Support From Your Test, Or From Halstead & Lind, In Your Opinion?