The Communist Experience in America: A Political and Social History

Arguments about whether distinctive features of Americansociety, culture, political structure, economic system,or population account for the relative weakness of Americanradicalism have engaged historians, sociologists, andpolitical scientists for decades. Influential concepts suchas "frontier theory" have been linked with the absence ofclass conflict in America. Other analysts have attributedthe failure of the American Left to fierce repression,giving red scares and the McCarthy era as illustrations.Some have linked the American Left’s failure to Americanimmigration, winner-take-all elections, and the culturalvalues of individualism. The Communist Party, one ofAmerica’s largest and longest lasting radical groups, offersmany lessons about how radical political groups can takeadvantage of-or squander-their opportunities.Klehr focuses on the theme of American exceptionalismand problems that America’s capitalist society raisedfor Marxism and other radical groups. The CommunistExperience in America deals with dissident communistformulations. Such groups included a number of talentedmen who went on to a variety of political and literary careers.Klehr also deals with fellow travelers, some of whomwrote fascinating essays on American exceptionalism andthe decline of political extremism.In part, Klehr hopes to inspire the same moral outrageabout Communism that fuels those dedicated to ensuringthat Nazi crimes are never forgotten or obfuscated. Communism,in practice everywhere in the world, also came atenormous human cost. Regardless of their other virtues orqualities, those who supported or defended Communismfrom the safety of the United States must be called to account.This work does just that; in detail and depth.