American Ideology 101
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model background with two axes, horizontal labelled as "Philosophical Dimension" and vertical "Political Dimension"

Foundations of Ideology

This module sets the conceptual groundwork, clarifies the stakes, and establishes the need for a new analytic model.

MODULE 1

Welcome to American Ideologue

Introduces the project and its provocations. Outlines the goals of this project. Challenges modern cynicism about ideology and stakes the claim that America has one.

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Civic Engagement and the Dying American Ideology

A personal narrative rooted in Bellah, Putnam, and Ladd. Establishes the cultural infrastructure necessary for ideology to function.

The Science of Ideas: Defining Ideology

Defines ideology as a dual system (normative + operational). Separates ideology from partisanship and movements. Includes historical grounding in de Tracy, Marx, and contemporary political theory.

In Search of the American Ideology

Survey of major intellectual schools: Hartz, Lipset, Ladd, Smith, Bellah, Sandel, Hofstadter. The need for an analytic model.

MODULE 3

model background with two axes, horizontal labelled as "Philosophical Dimension" and vertical "Political Dimension"simple

Ideological Epochs

Demonstrating the model across American history—how each era emphasized a quadrant of the ideological map, and what it reveals about continuity, correction, and crisis.

The Seven Ideological Epochs (Overview Post)

Introduces the model’s historical explanatory power. Frames the epochs as successive recalibrations across the two axes. Introduces the concept of ideological “quadrants.”

The Early Republic

1789-1815

The Middle Period

1815-1860

The Grand Alignment

1860-1880

The Progressive Era

1880-1910

The New Deal Order

1910-1980

The Conservative Realignment

1980-2008

The Dealignment

2008-present

MODULE 2

The American Ideology

“The Methodology.” Revealing a new systematic approach to discovering, understanding and defining the American Ideology.

A Framework for the American Ideology

Introduces the two-axis analytic model that defines the American Ideology. Together, these axes give rise to four cardinal values at the center—values that synthesize these tensions into a coherent system.

Communitarian Individualism

Explores the American expression of liberty—not as unbounded autonomy, but as liberty constrained by moral obligation, civic duty, and belonging. It shows how American liberty has always presupposed a virtuous citizen, embedded in civil society, capable of self-governance.

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Moral Equality

Here we examine the American interpretation of equality—not as uniformity or enforced outcomes, but as a commitment to shared dignity, fairness, and opportunity. Rooted more in the Imago Dei than in economic class struggle, this value offers a moral and social equilibrium that resists both hierarchy and flattening.

Republicanism

Not the party, but the philosophical and institutional tradition: a belief in constitutional government, civic virtue, the rule of law, and liberty preserved through structure. This post traces how republicanism reconciles liberty with order and individual rights with the common good.

Federalism

More than a legal arrangement, federalism is a structural value rooted in pluralism, decentralization, and a distrust of concentrated power. This post argues that American federalism isn’t just pragmatic—it’s a moral safeguard, essential for balancing the National Idea with the diverse and local commitments of the Democratic Idea.

When the Balance Breaks

Examines what happens when America loses its ideological center. It outlines the four pathologies that emerge when the core tensions are resolved in favor of one pole

MODULE 4

Renewal or Collapse

Connects the model to the present: what happens when we forget the center of balance, and how we might return to it.

America, Exceptional No More?

An honest appraisal of American Exceptionalism and the evidence once pointed to that demonstrated how unique we were from the rest of the world.

The Dark Side of the American Ideology

The American Ideology has never been treated by serious scholars as a celebration of American superiority. Here we explore the negative consequences of our ideological biases.

Civic Ritual and Ideological Catechesis

The need for civic catechesis. Institutions, rituals, education, and social capital as ideological transmission mechanisms.

The Government’s Not Broken, We Are

Diagnosis of the current moment: cultural decay, institutional distrust, ideological fragmentation.

Can the American Ideology Survive without Religion?

The recent cratering of the last vestige of American Exceptionalism. Perhaps the greatest and most dire challenge.

Vox Americana

Do we still believe? An exploration of public opinion data to shed light on Americans’ attachment to the ideology.

The Politics of Revival

Not centrism—but ideological recovery. What it would mean to build a political movement based on the ideological values, not partisan platforms.

American Ideology 101: Introduction

Over the next several months, I’ll be proposing an analytic model—a methodology—for discovering, understanding, and defining what I call the American Ideology. During this interactive course, I’ll reveal the framework behind this model, explore its roots in political thought and American history, and reflect on its relevance to the challenges we face today.

What you can expect as part of this course:

Each post is a lecture. Or better: a short seminar session. Posts are meant to be digestible—no more than 20 minutes to read. Occasionally, I’ll link to longer essays as an opportunity to dive deeper.
An in-depth "reader's guide" will accompany most posts. I will not be burdening you (nor me) with the clutter of endless footnotes in the posts (although they will grace the longer deep-dives I crib from the dissertation draft). You’re on your own for acquiring the texts—especially the obscure out-of-print ones. These guides will be more than a reading list of recommended texts and articles, but will also include my own summary of these materials and questions to prompt discussion and further reflection.
Essay writing and quizzes are part of the curriculum not to test you, but rather as opportunities to spark new ideas and converation on this topic. These exercises help me to learn more about you.
The syllabus is alive. Here you’ll find a working outline for the series. Much of this content began as an unfinished dissertation I started writing three decades ago. It’s being rewritten in real time, updated both for historical accuracy and for our current political moment. So the curriculum is not only subject to change—it’s likely to. There are four sections to this course and there is a short quiz after each "module" that requires an 80% passing grade to proceed to the next section.
Explainer videos are coming. These will drop asynchronously and irregularly. If you’re following the series closely (as everyone should, of course), rely on the written posts as your foundation.
Live Q&A chats will follow each post (approximately once per week), simulating the back-and-forth of a real seminar. If there’s interest, I’ll occasionally host video discussions. And if no one shows up, I’ll happily talk to myself for half an hour.
Guest lectures and podcast episodes may appear from time to time. If you’d like to serve as a guest lecturer or sparring partner, let me know—no prerequisites required.

American Ideology 101

American Ideology 101: Introduction

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