The article outlines the evolution of American political culture through two distinct phases: the centralized Hamiltonian era (1933-1963) characterized by major infrastructure projects spearheaded by leaders like Franklin Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower, and a subsequent decentralized Jeffersonian phase that emerged in the late 1960s. This later period saw a rise in skepticism towards authority and the establishment, with activists from both the right and left opposing centralized power. The struggle between centralized achievements and decentralized activism created a complex political landscape that has impacted progress and regulation.
American political culture shifts between centralized and decentralized power phases. From 1933-1963, control centralized to build infrastructure, later, it decentralized, fostering suspicion of authority.
The 1960s brought a cultural shift towards decentralization, with activists on both the right and left challenging established powers, often blocking development projects in favor of community control.
Centralization under leaders like FDR and Eisenhower led to great achievements, such as highways and NASA, but also to negative consequences, like urban destruction by figures like Robert Moses.
The emergence of Jeffersonian decentralization led to a power struggle between the established elites and new activists who, at times, dramatically hindered progress and development.
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