The Idea of America in European Political Thought: 1492 - 9/11

FAIN: FA-56308-11

Alan Mitchell Levine
American University (Washington, DC 20016-8200)

A 2011 NEH fellowship will enable me to complete a manuscript-in-progress entitled The Idea of America in European Political Thought: 1492 - 9/11. The purpose of my book is not to analyze American political thought, but rather to illuminate how America was perceived by and what it meant to the political thinkers of Europe from 1492 until today. My book is about America as a symbol, which is important not just for historical purposes. The idea of America remains one of the most powerful symbols in the world, as indicated by the worldwide debates over terrorism and globalization. I provide the only comprehensive treatment of European political thinkers on America since its “discovery,” showing that their battle over America is a proxy war over European civilization, the Enlightenment, and modernity itself.