In this paper, Canadian writer and educator, Michael Ernest Sweet, explores the topic of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States of America. The paper seeks to uncover Wilson's thought, his influences (with a detailed look at Hegel's influence) and his impact on American government then and now.
Additionally, his legacy is examined in terms of what he actually inspired in American political science, and what he is often, wrongly, attributed to him and his administration. Both foreign and domestic policy is considered. The paper concludes that Wilson's legacy is, most correctly, that he opened the American mind toward a new political era - an era that is not fixed and static like that of the founding and its confining Constitutionalism, but rather one with an eye toward the inevitability of progress in history and, ultimately, a new freedom.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Wilson’s Progressivism
III. In Wilson’s Words
IV. New Progressivism and the Wilsonian Legacy
V. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the political philosophy of Woodrow Wilson, specifically his transition from a traditional conservative perspective to a doctrine of liberal progressivism influenced by Hegelian thought. The primary objective is to evaluate how Wilson’s administrative and political legacy has shaped the modern American state and to analyze whether his contributions have fostered effective government or contributed to current political dissatisfaction.
- The impact of Hegelian Idealism and German political thought on Wilson’s governance.
- Wilson’s critical stance toward the American Constitution and the Founders' design.
- The evolution of the "administrative state" and its departure from original constitutional frameworks.
- The discrepancy between contemporary interpretations of "Wilsonianism" and Wilson's original political intentions.
Excerpt from the Book
In Wilson’s Words
We will now turn to an examination of some of Wilson’s own comments, claims and philosophical as well as political utterances, mostly from The New Freedom, a collection of his 1912 campaign speeches. The aim in this section is to see both how Hegelianism manifested in Wilson’s unfolding platform and policy propositions, as well as to acquire a sense of his own brand of progressive political philosophy.
In terms of the accusation launched against Wilson for departing from the founding philosophy and its principles, he is clear: “The old political formulas,” writes Wilson, “do not fit the present problems; they read now like documents taken out of a forgotten age”. Certainly, right away, one senses the pragmatist influence in Wilson’s progressivism. He also comes out of the gate roaring, in no uncertain terms, about the “antiquated” nature of the principles that animated the founding era. Soon after, Wilson writes, “To-day, the everyday relationships of men are largely with great impersonal concerns, with organizations, not with other individual men”. Very quickly, we do, in fact, come to see some truth in Lippmann’s claim that Wilson was no adherent to any one philosophy strictly. Wilson seems, at first blush, to be, indeed, both conservative and progressive. He continues, “Your individuality is swallowed up in the individuality and purpose of a great organization”.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Outlines the premise that Woodrow Wilson was a transformative political scientist whose presidency cemented progressivism in American government, shifting it toward a modern administrative state.
II. Wilson’s Progressivism: Explores Wilson’s rejection of the Founders' constitutional framework and his push to adapt government to historical circumstances via Hegelian concepts.
III. In Wilson’s Words: Analyzes Wilson’s rhetoric in "The New Freedom" to illustrate his unique brand of progressivism and his attempt to reconcile tradition with modern institutional needs.
IV. New Progressivism and the Wilsonian Legacy: Examines the distorted modern legacy of Wilson, particularly regarding foreign policy interventions and domestic bureaucracy.
V. Conclusion: Summarizes the evaluation of Wilson's impact, suggesting that while he opened the political imagination, his reforms led to a bureaucracy shielded from accountability.
Keywords
Woodrow Wilson, Wilsonianism, Progressivism, American Government, Hegelian Idealism, Constitutionalism, Administrative State, Political Science, The New Freedom, Self-determination, Federal Bureaucracy, Liberalism, Founding Fathers, Pragmatism, Public Accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this academic paper?
The paper explores the political philosophy of Woodrow Wilson, focusing on how he influenced American government through progressive reforms and Hegelian ideals.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The study covers the tension between the Founders' constitutionally limited government and the rise of the modern administrative state under Wilsonian influence.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine if Wilson's political legacy has benefited American society or led to political incoherence and ineffectual governance.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses historical analysis and critical review of Wilson’s primary texts and scholarly interpretations to trace the roots of his political doctrine.
What does the main body address?
The main body examines Wilson's ideological influences—specifically German Idealism and pragmatism—and his practical implementation of regulatory legislation and bureaucratic growth.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as Wilsonianism, progressivism, Hegelianism, and the American administrative state.
Did Wilson reject the American Founding?
Wilson argued that the Founders' documents were designed for a different era and that government needed to adapt to modern industrial conditions, effectively suggesting a departure from original constitutional constraints.
How does the author view Wilson's legacy on modern foreign policy?
The author argues that modern unilateral interventions often attributed to Wilsonianism are frequently distortions of his original ideas, which emphasized self-determination rather than forced democratization.
What is the "political-administrative dichotomy" discussed in the paper?
It refers to Wilson’s desire to separate policy-making from execution by creating an apolitical, expert-led bureaucracy, which the author notes ironically became susceptible to lobbyist influence.
- Quote paper
- Michael Ernest Sweet (Author), 2016, Wilsonianism Then and Now. Would The Real Woodrow Wilson Please Stand Up, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/350695
