Cycles of American Political Thought

By: Joseph F. Kobylka, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Joseph F. Kobylka

American history is often presented as a tale of dynamic movers and shakers who subdued an untamed wilderness on the way to forging a great nation - all the while leaving philosophy for their European counterparts.

But this history neglects the philosophical underpinnings of America. As these 36 lectures demonstrate, America has borne the imprint of influential thinkers from its earliest days, from the Reformation theology of John Calvin to the Enlightenment philosophy of John Locke.

Throughout this epic historical journey, you'll explore the many ways this nation has answered the question: What is an American? Professor Kobylka traces the many answers that have been offered showing how the idea of "We the People" has changed and expanded far beyond the Founding Fathers' original conception.

You'll navigate America's ever-shifting political landscape and see how the great political trends in American history can be understood as variations on a single theme: the philosophy of liberalism, this conception that government is the source of some of our most deeply valued political notions. You'll also meet the great men and women who, over the course of American history, have molded political thought and policy.

This is your opportunity to gain a deep understanding both of the nation's past and how this rich political history continues to influence the current day. Even if you've studied American history before, you'll encounter something new: a unique synthesis of viewpoints, ideas, and events that's enlightening and compelling.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2006 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2006 The Great Courses

Almost 400 years of American Political Thought

Professor Joseph Kobylka brings you almost 400 years of American political thought and evolution in 36 excellent lectures. Starting with the earliest political developments of Britain, the early colonies, the American Revolution spanning 11 lectures, the Jacksonian era and shift from John Marshall to Roger Taney. The pre Civil War (or War of Southern Succession) views on slavery, Lincoln, progressivism and Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, civil rights moments, and Ronald Reagan.

Excellent Series

Cycles of American Political Thought is a fascinating and informative lecture series about how liberalism (as defined by the primacy of the average individual - as opposed to the collective, as was the case in the Puritan colony and other early American forms of governance - in political thought and concern) tends to cycle between active state liberalism (the idea that the government should actively intervene to improve actual conditions for the average individual, such as with medicare) and a more laissez-faire liberalism (the idea that the government should intervene as little as possible so the best individuals can make themselves known, such as with laissez-faire economics). The series starts with examining and accounting for British political theory/practice as it would have been the direct precursor and shaper of initial American settlements and their governments (to paraphrase Professor Kobylka: they brought baggage, and not just in the form of stuff); discusses Locke and his influence on all the Revolutionary-era giants, along with their own interpretations of and divergence from his political philosophy; discusses backlash and reorganization in the aftermath of the initial generation's passing; discusses the Civil War era and the genesis of modern active state governance (with Lincoln, who was the idol and influence of later Roosevelts more famous for bringing it to fruition) in the context of the way those not considered to be part of the initial conception of The People (black Americans and women) tried to expand that definition so they could also participate in governance and society more generally; discusses backlash in the form of social darwinism, particularly during the Gilded Age; discusses the Great Depression and the subsequent widespread demands for active state liberal governance; and discusses the backlash in the form of political philosophy most associated with Ronald Reagan.

Key to the lecturer's conception and exploration of liberalism is not just the focus on the individual, but also the concept of apparently limitless space and resources. Professor Kobylka argues that, for a long time and through several cycles, freedom and equality were considered to be interchangeable in an economic sense because freedom to move around and do stuff that would make money was a precursor to and necessary state for equality (ie: prosperity more generally). Implicit in this seems to be the acknowledgement that more recent times (the last hundred and fifty years or so) have seen more pointed and strident criticisms of laissez-faire liberalism because, as there was less and less space/resources not already owned by someone else (to be clear: someone else white; I'll get to that in minute), if there was a problem an individual couldn't just move elsewhere with more plentiful resources (ie: "go west, young man!"). To quote my notes: When you've run out of "free resources/land" (ie: stolen from their indigenous inhabitants, but that's not really a part of this lecture) to throw at citizens you can't just continue to scream 'make something of yourself!' The citizens will look at each other, then at you and respond 'with what?'

All in all, I thought this was a very thorough and educational lecture series. It covered a lot of history from perspectives I hadn't considered before, introduced me to historical figures that I hadn't known about, and caused me to think about the influence of factors I hadn't realized were even part of the equation. This is a lecture series that I would highly recommend.

Thorough Review and Summary

What made the experience of listening to Cycles of American Political Thought the most enjoyable?

Prof. Kobylka presents the information in these lectures clearly, and without any apparent editorial bias. On the few occasions he editorializes, he makes it quite clear that is what he is doing. On the whole, he presents a remarkably balanced view of political thought in the US.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but it's 18+ hours long and not designed to be listened to in such a manner.

Any additional comments?

The principal thread of American political thought is Liberalism. This doesn't mean that it adheres to the current, popular use of the word "liberal" - you have to be able to hear that word with choking on your own rage.

It can sometimes be difficult to discern when he is quoting, paraphrasing, or simply commenting. This is due to him not using the (annoying) convention of announcing "quote-unquote" when he transitions to and from quotations.

Outstanding; puts 2016 in historical perspective

Where does Cycles of American Political Thought rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best historical/political audiobooks I've ever listened to. Should be mandatory "reading" for political candidates before they debate and for voters before they listen to often misinformed or misleading politicians.

What did you like best about this story?

Professor Kobyika traces the foundations and evolution of competing streams of American political thinking from the Pilgrims to Reagan. It is amazing how complex and varying these streams have been - and how they are so unlike the naive utterances of today's politicians who often refer to "American Values" as if they were monolithic. This Course is a valuable overview of how America struggled to define itself at the beginning and how that struggle has continued to modern times.

Have you listened to any of Professor Joseph F. Kobylka’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

My first exposure to Prof. Kobyika.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were too many to single out just one.

Great Overview of American Political History

Dr. Kobylka is an excellent lecturer, and he gives a great overview of the evolution of American political thought.

Fascinating Look at Surprising Historical Threads

Equality and liberty, property rights and personal rights, tradition and abstraction, community and conscience—it is illuminating to see connections between disparate thinkers across decades and centuries. It was also fun to encounter some new and non-mainstream thinkers. All very engagingly conveyed by Professor Kobylka.

a truly great Great Course

This course did a wonderful job of explaining both sides of the "great conversation" that defines who we area as a nation. it really helped me understand positions other than my own. Informative and helpful.

Educational and engaging!

The lack of bias was a huge plus in this series. It covered all sides, presenting many engaging arguments. Definitely among the best of the Great Courses series.

Challenging topic, middling delivery

Is there anything you would change about this book?

An interesting overview of American history, seen through the lens a political philosophy.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It was interesting to learn about the push and pull of political philosophy in America, with the alternation between the active versus the limited state, the primacy of liberty versus equality. The professor's delivery was less appealing to me. Sometimes he rushed and slurred his words, making him difficult to follow. At other times his delivery was annoyingly halting.

Would you be willing to try another one of Professor Joseph F. Kobylka’s performances?

Probably not.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Not applicable.

Any additional comments?

I find the comments about Dr. Kobylka's "liberalism" pretty far off the mark. I think in general is pretty neutral. He expresses abhorrence toward slavery and racism but hopefully that is no longer controversial. He discusses socialism in a nonjudgmental fashion, but he does the same with Reaganism. Pretty balanced, on the whole.

Waste of time

Has Cycles of American Political Thought turned you off from other books in this genre?

I usually like the Great Courses series, but this one is horrible. He is too biased a leftist to be taken seriously, other courses were far more objective and more informative. I expected the same, I can get partisan dribble for free.

What didn’t you like about Professor Joseph F. Kobylka’s performance?

Clearly biased, and biased political thought is cheap and usually delivered better.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Cycles of American Political Thought?

It goes downhill fast.

Any additional comments?

There are many excellent books in the Great Courses series other than this one, check them out .