Voices For Democracy

Description

Originally published separately—in 1944 and 1947, respectively—as Abraham Lincoln: Selections From His Writings and Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Selections From His Writings, International Publishers is proud to bring these collections back to print during the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.

The writings collected here are important for several reasons. During a time of rising right-wing authoritarianism—possibly fascism—it is important to recall the democratic minded sentiments of past Presidents, like Lincoln and Roosevelt. As imperfect as they were, they never sought to abuse the norms of our democratic structures or enrich themselves like Donald Trump.

Additionally, both men bent to popular pressure and expanded the bounds of bourgeois democracy. Lincoln was won over to the cause of emancipation, eventually leading a war to defeat the slave south and free all enslaved African Americans. Roosevelt took on the Robber Barons and Industrialists, forming an alliance with unions and progressives to defeat fascism abroad and institute New Deal legislation.

This collection of writings is also a reminder of how far backwards we have gone politically as a nation. The Presidency used to be a position held in high regard. Now it is a position held by a conman, racist, rapist, and grifter.

With a new Foreword by Rutgers University Professor Norman Markowitz, this new edition of the writings of Lincoln and Roosevelt urges us to take back our democracy before it’s too late.