The moral and social aspiration proper to American life is, of course, the aspiration vaguely described by the word democratic; and the actual achievement of the American nation points towards an adequate and fruitful definition of the democratic ideal.

Quote by Herbert Croly

Topics: Herbert Croly Quotes

The first phase of American political history was characterized by the conflict between the Federalists...

The first phase of American political history was characterized by the conflict between the Federalists...

When the Promise of American life is conceived as a national ideal, whose fulfillment is...

When the Promise of American life is conceived as a national ideal, whose fulfillment is...

The combination of Federalism and Republicanism which formed the substance of the system, did not...

The combination of Federalism and Republicanism which formed the substance of the system, did not...

The more consciously democratic Americans became, however, the less they were satisfied with a conception...

The more consciously democratic Americans became, however, the less they were satisfied with a conception...

The popular will cannot be taken for granted, it must be created.

The popular will cannot be taken for granted, it must be created.

The interest which lay behind Federalism was that of well-to-do citizens in a stable political...

The interest which lay behind Federalism was that of well-to-do citizens in a stable political...

In Jefferson's mind democracy was tantamount to extreme individualism.

In Jefferson's mind democracy was tantamount to extreme individualism.

I am not a prophet in any sense of the word, and I entertain an...

I am not a prophet in any sense of the word, and I entertain an...

The years between 1800 and 1825 were distinguished, so far as our domestic development was...

The years between 1800 and 1825 were distinguished, so far as our domestic development was...

Unless the great majority of Americans not only have, but believe they have, a fair...

Unless the great majority of Americans not only have, but believe they have, a fair...

American history contains much matter for pride and congratulation, and much matter for regret and...

American history contains much matter for pride and congratulation, and much matter for regret and...

Had it not been for the Atlantic Ocean and the virgin wilderness, the United States...

Had it not been for the Atlantic Ocean and the virgin wilderness, the United States...

Let it be immediately added, however, that this economic independence and prosperity has always been...

Let it be immediately added, however, that this economic independence and prosperity has always been...

Democracy may mean something more than a theoretically absolute popular government, but it assuredly cannot...

Democracy may mean something more than a theoretically absolute popular government, but it assuredly cannot...

The only fruitful promise of which the life of any individual or any nation can...

The only fruitful promise of which the life of any individual or any nation can...

Our country was thereby saved from the consequences of its distracting individualistic conception of democracy,...

Our country was thereby saved from the consequences of its distracting individualistic conception of democracy,...

The average American is nothing if not patriotic.

The average American is nothing if not patriotic.

The higher American patriotism, on the other hand, combines loyalty to historical tradition and precedent...

The higher American patriotism, on the other hand, combines loyalty to historical tradition and precedent...

The adoption by Jefferson and the Republicans of the political structure of their opponents is...

The adoption by Jefferson and the Republicans of the political structure of their opponents is...

So far I, at least, have no fault to find with implications of Hamilton's Federalism,...

So far I, at least, have no fault to find with implications of Hamilton's Federalism,...