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

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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

5. “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

6. “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

7. 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?