Croly, Herbert (1869–1930)

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CROLY, HERBERT (1869–1930)

New York journalist and social critic Herbert David Croly was the leading intellectual of the Progressive movement. Croly's The Promise of American Life (1909) became the programmatic handbook of the reformers: in it he advocated strengthening the federal government as the special protector of working people and the creation of a " welfare state." His inspiration was the nationalism of alexander hamilton rather than the individualism of thomas jefferson. Croly believed that the process of government should be separated from politics and placed in the hands of experts. Croly advised President woodrow wilson, but his greatest influence on public affairs was as editor of The New Republic.

Dennis J. Mahoney
(1986)

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Croly, Herbert (1869–1930)

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