The Role Of Croly In Franklin D. Roosevelt And The New Deal

Croly’s recommendation of a universal acceptance of economic and political centralization was in his belief system, the only mechanism available and strong enough to organize a modern society. This meant the development of a strong national government capable….of taxation to redistribute wealth, elevation of unions…and a general faith in leadership and expertise…” While Croly did not promote socialism directly; his proposals were more than one of a cultural significance. I believe this work was the critical base from which the Progressive agenda, lasting through today resides. Of all the authors/historians regarding the New Deal; only Leuchtenburg in his book “Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal” fully recognized the contribution of Croly as one of most influential in the New Nationalism movement of the Roosevelt administration. Croly’s influence cannot be understated in the context of influencing the up and coming New Deal thinkers. Croly’s role as one of the primary contributors to the “New Republic” along with the earlier forerunners of the New Nationalism movement with others such as Lippmann, Van Hise and Patten served to refine and redefine the influence of government by nationally and
The unrestrained power of the business community was finally confronted with an effective challenge, and what emerged was a system of reformed capitalism, with far more protection for workers, farmers, consumers, and others than in the past. While New Left historians consider the New Deal as a failure, a dreary chronicle of missed opportunities, inadequate responses to problems, and damaging New Deal initiatives. The Roosevelt administration may have saved capitalism, but it failed to help—and in many ways actually harmed—those groups most in need of