Forging Rivals

Race, Class, Law, and the Collapse of Postwar Liberalism

By Reuel Schiller, University of California, Hastings College of Law | Publisher: Cambridge University Press

About the book

The three decades after the end of World War II saw the rise and fall of a particular version of liberalism in which the state committed itself to promoting a modest form of economic egalitarianism while simultaneously embracing ethnic, racial, and religious pluralism. But by the mid-1970s, postwar liberalism was in a shambles: while its commitment to pluralism remained, its economic policies had been abandoned, and the Democratic Party, its primary political vehicle, was collapsing. Schiller attributes this demise to the legal architecture of postwar liberalism, arguing that postwar liberalism's goals of advancing economic egalitarianism and promoting pluralism ultimately conflicted with each other. Through the use of specific historical examples, Schiller demonstrates that postwar liberalism was riddled with legal and institutional contradictions that undermined progressive politics in the mid-twentieth-century United States.

Editions of Forging Rivals

Hardcover
ISBN 9781107012264
Paperback
ISBN 9781107628335

Read an Excerpt

The three decades after the end of World War II saw the rise and fall of a particular version of liberalism in which the state committed itself to promoting a modest form of economic egalitarianism while simultaneously embracing ethnic, racial, and religious pluralism. But by the mid-1970s, postwar liberalism was in a shambles: while its commitment to pluralism remained, its economic policies had been abandoned, and the Democratic Party, its primary political vehicle, was collapsing. Schiller attributes this demise to the legal architecture of postwar liberalism, arguing that postwar liberalism's goals of advancing economic egalitarianism and promoting pluralism ultimately conflicted with each other. Through the use of specific historical examples, Schiller demonstrates that postwar liberalism was riddled with legal and institutional contradictions that undermined progressive politics in the mid-twentieth-century United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forging Rivals about?

The three decades after the end of World War II saw the rise and fall of a particular version of liberalism in which the state committed itself to promoting a modest form of economic egalitarianism while simultaneously embracing ethnic, racial, and religious pluralism. But by the mid-1970s, postwar liberalism was in a shambles: while its commitment to pluralism remained, its economic policies had been abandoned, and the Democratic Party, its primary political vehicle, was collapsing. Schiller attributes this demise to the legal architecture of postwar liberalism, arguing that postwar liberalism's goals of advancing economic egalitarianism and promoting pluralism ultimately conflicted with each other. Through the use of specific historical examples, Schiller demonstrates that postwar liberalism was riddled with legal and institutional contradictions that undermined progressive politics in the mid-twentieth-century United States.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Forging Rivals?

History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas

Where can I read a sample of Forging Rivals?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781107012264

Is Forging Rivals part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series Cambridge Historical Studies in American Law and Society

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Forging Rivals?

Reuel Schiller, University of California, Hastings College of Law

Who is the Publisher of the book Forging Rivals?

Cambridge University Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Forging Rivals is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781107012264) and paperback(ISBN 9781107628335)