Liberalism and Illiberalism in American History

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Alongside a “liberal tradition” (Louis Hartz) in the United States, Pulitzer-prize winning historian Steven Hahn has identified a powerful history of American illiberalism. The panel will probe this thesis of an “illiberal America” and its potential for explaining our current moment. The panel will also explore its implications for other parts of the world. What does it mean for Europe and Germany if the United States no longer represents the center of a “liberal West”? Has this long-held normative ideal obscured persistent illiberal trends in the United States? What is the relationship of American “illiberalism” to European traditions of authoritarianism and fascism?

With discussants Jane Dailey (University of Chicago) and Steven Hahn (New York University), moderated by Frank Biess (University of California, San Diego). This roundtable is part of the panel series “The Bigger Picture,” which is co-convened by the German Historical Institute (GHI) Washington and the Heidelberg Center for American Studies (HCA). The series is endorsed by the German Association for American Studies. This event is co-convened by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD).