Madison's Sorrow: Today's War on the Founders and America's Liberal Ideal

by Kevin O'Leary

The story of America is the struggle between our liberal ideal and illiberal resistance. Donald Trump catalyzed a reactionary revolution by tapping into the dark, shadowy side of American democracy that embraces exclusion and inequality. Madison’s Sorrow shows that throughout American history these alarming impulses have come to the forefront of our culture—during the Civil War, the era of the Robber Barons, and the Civil Rights Movement—but have now come to fruition in the presidency of Donald Trump.


Clearly, conservatives have lost their party. And without conservatives debating liberals in an intellectual, respectful manner to address the nation’s problems, Madisonian democracy breaks down.


In the tradition of Tomas Paine’s Rights of Man and Arthur Schlesinger’s The Vital Center, Madison’s Sorrow offers a searing critique of the radical right and a passionate defense of the founders’ liberal ideal.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name on the goodreads data base.

Kevin O’Leary is national correspondent for Campaigns & Elections. He has been a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, contributor to The American Prospect, editor of OC Metro Magazine and editorial page editor of the Pasadena Star-News. He earned his Ph.D. at Yale University and is a political scientist at the Center for the Study of Democracy at UC Irvine.

Reviews

[Karen Levi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written for the college student and adults interested in our present political situation, the erudite work presents a coherent view of our history. The book begins with the American Revolution and progresses into the present. The author explains the importance of Locke in the development of our republic. The title refers to James Madison, a federalist and one of the writers of the Constitution. Madison prevented the inclusion of slavery in the latter document, paving the way for slavery to be banned. Mr. O'Leary notes that the original sins of America are slavery and and the selective nature of basic rights. African Americans, other minorities, the disabled, women, GBLT individuals, and recent immigrants have fought for freedoms, since 1789. Our worst moment in time, The Civil War, was a result of a severe disagreement regarding slavery and the way of life this institution engendered. Slavery not only enslaved black people but also formed the culture of the south. Authoritarianism grew out of the societal construct of the ante bellum south--plantation owners, slave masters, poor farmers, and slaves. The Confederates lost the war; but the north failed to disasmemble the caste system in the post war south. In time, the power elite--former slave and landowners-- formed a new social order, the Jim Crow south. Jim Crow laws prevented blacks from voting, obtaining an education, owning land, and possessing basic rights. Worse yet were the lynchings and private prison camps of late 19th and early 20th century America in the deep south. Populism sprang up due to the plight of the farmers all over the land; however, the accomplishments and abuses of The Gilded Age permanently influenced the U.S. The excesses of businessmen, the primacy of laissez-faire capitalism, the deaths of laborers, and the privatization of public transportation and resources forced prominent, educated journalists, social workers, and politicians to lead the country into the Progressive Age. Of course, the U.S. fought in a world war, isolated itself, and suffered through a depression until FDR came on the scene. The remaining chapters explore post World War II history which baby boomers have experienced. The author and I share that designation; therefore, I understand and agree with his viewpoint. Mr. O'Leary writes as a proud liberal. The book is fair and balanced, giving equal credence to liberals and conservatives, distinguishing the latter from "illiberals". Conservatives respect the Constitution and utilize compromise as an effective tool for solving differences in the political arena. Libertarianism, closely associated with illiberals, brings us to Trump, via Goldwater, Reagan, William F. Buckley, Gingrich, Ryan, Cruz, and McConnell.
The sober story continues, as the foundation of the contemporary reactionary right is found in the authoritarianism of the south and a strong capitalist class. Trump came to power, filled with bluster, attitude, and scapegoating. Trump utilized "them" vs. "us", not a new strategy to win votes. Over a hundred years ago in the south, poor and working class white people were underpayed and underpriviliged, the reasoning goes, but they were not at the "bottom of the barrel". These individuals voted to maintain the status quo in the hope that they too could become wealthy. Today, Trump falsely encourages and reassures his base that he will support "us" not "them". He, alone, will destroy those Democrats and immigrants blocking the way, and obtain, for these insecure, fearful voters, the jobs and opportunities they deserve.
What becomes of the future is unknown. Will the country move toward the less polarized center, a continued period of instability, or the likes of a Latin American country, with a corrupt government and extremes on both ends of the wealth scale? Mr. O'Leary does not venture to guess, though the horizon appears stormy.

[John Kaufmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ Stars. The book focuses on how illiberal forces have taken over the Republican party and threaten American democracy. These forces are rooted in wealth and power, and aim to establish a government and society based on authoritarianism, unregulated markets, wealth inequality and social hierarchy, and extreme individual rights.

To garner enough support to make these goals a reality, wealth must enlist enough popular support to take/retain power. The strategy they have chosen is rooted in the traditions of the old South -- the antebellum South and then the Jim Crow South -- i.e., divide and conquer. They use anti-government and racist appeals to win over laboring whites by making them feel that their status in the white-privilege power structure is being threatened.

O'Leary's argument is similar in many respects to Heather Cox Richardson's book How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America. It explains a lot about the polarization in America today.

[Barry Drudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin C. O’Leary presents an up-to-the-minute overview of how the United States has shifted from the philosophy and ideals of John Locke to a current cadre of illiberal operatives, seeking to return us to a class system that keeps the rich running things and the poor becoming more indebted as serfs (my words).

Beginning with the ill-fated meeting between Barry Goldwater and a representative of George Wallace sealed the fate of our nation as racism and classism intersected, this boom equips its readers with information of where we could head.

It does not leave us bereft of hope, though. O’Leary gives us opportunity to be involved in steering this ships aright.

It’s great information for those who haven’t been able to put their finger on why our nation seems ill. It reminds us of our, “better angels,” as Abraham Lincoln would’ve noted. It rekindles the notion that all humans are created equal and have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biased because I hosted this author on my podcast, but this is a staggeringly good distillation about where we are in the country. Highly recommend to those who want to understand that attacks on liberal institutions have been an ongoing project.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly-written and thought-provoking book about the rise of the alt-right, going back through eras of American history clear to the Revolution.

[Mike Dougherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lesson for today, and for the future...if we are to have one

If you truly care about the direction this nation is headed, then Madison's Sorrow will bring to light what you need to know. Author O'Leary argues that the post-Gingrich GOP is fundamentally illiberal and anti-American. And that Trump and his allies have launched a counterrevolution against the ideals of the founders - one with parallels to the breakdown of democracy in Latin America and Germany. Trump's reactionary right champions privilege, hierarchy, racial and gender inequality, and exclusion. 5-Stars. Highly recommended.