The Politics of the American Civil Liberties Union

William A. Donohue

jan 1985 · Transaction Publishers

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This is a critical analysis of the history of the American Civil Liberties Union and at the same time the history of American liberalism in the twentieth century. It represents the first published account of the ACLU's record. Other works on the organization either dealt only with specific issues or have been simply journalistic accounts. Donohue provides the first systematic analysis by a social scientist.

This book is directed at those interested in the history of American liberalism and, no less, the history of American conservatism, for ideological struggle within the United States touches directly on civil libertarian concerns. The work is especially significant for American constitutional lawyers, political scientists, and for those concerned with serious ideas in American life. Supporters as well as critics of the ACLU will be attracted to this work for different reasons. It is unquestionably the most serious work now available and is likely to remain the touchstone for any such work for many years to come.

"The book is based on very extensive research and written with admirable lucidity. Professor Donohue knows what he is talking about and can prove what he says by citation to chapter and verse. He is not only industrious and intelligent, but courageous. He will undoubtedly be vilified and pelted with personal abuse not only by ACLU's active management, but by liberals of both the traditional and modern varieties. Many traditional liberals, who really do believe in the Bill of Rights, have not yet realized the ACLU as a rule believes in freedom only for the Good-Thinking People."--Joseph W. Bishop, Jr., Yale University.