In this, his last work, J. David Greenstone provides an important new
analysis of American liberalism and of Lincoln's unique contribution to
the nation's political life. Greenstone addresses Louis Hartz's
well-known claim that a tradition of liberal consensus has characterized
American political life from the time of the founders. Although he
acknowledges the force of Hartz's thesis, Greenstone nevertheless finds
it inadequate for explaining prominent instances of American political
discord, most notably the Civil War.
Originally published in 1993.
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