LBJ And American Liberalism

9 Pages 2266 Words

For many decades liberalism was the biggest factor in politics, and the largest force in changing America. Liberals believed in a government that was active in the nation to provide “economic prosperity, international security and social justice”(Schulman 1). Lyndon Baines Johnson “embodied the contradictions of political liberalism” in post war America, and he “orchestrated its triumphs, and endured its agonies”(Schulman 2). He was also the maker of its most important legislative achievements and a factor in its ultimate demise.
(1) There were three major influences in Lyndon Johnson’s life. The first was his father, Sam Johnson, and young LBJ absorbed his passion for politics. LBJ also adopted Sam Johnson’s belief in a “kind of government that could do things personally for people”(Schulman 7), and his dedication to his constituents. The second factor was the year LBJ spent teaching at Cotulla, Texas. At Cotulla, he saw poverty and hatred; later he said, “Somehow you never forget what poverty and hatred can do when you see its scares on the face of a young child”(Schulman 9) He never did, and during his Presidency he waged a nation changing “war on poverty.” Here he also reaffirmed his belief that education is the only way out of poverty. The third influence on LBJ’s life was President Franklin D. Roosevelt. As a young politician LBJ looked up to and savored FDR for his leadership and ideology, and in turn FDR helped LBJ during rough times. But, it was FDR’s New Deal Liberalism that LBJ savored the most. FDR “envisioned a larger role for government as a referee or police officer, ensuring that the economy and society operated freely and fairly”(Schulman 12).
(2) Classical liberalism took on a “negative view of freedom.” They believed that a big and active government is the biggest threat to freedom. Modern liberals were exactly the opposite, they believed in an active government. They viewed t...