I socialize almost exclusively with friends who are politically liberal, spanning the spectrum from left-of-center progressive to the more radical fringe. Frequently, among ourselves, political conversation drifts inevitably toward variations on this theme:

"The history of our country has always proven liberalism correct and conservatism incorrect. The principles of those on the left have been validated over and over again, while those on the right have been proven wrong by the progress of history."

While I admit that this hypothesis is selfishly pleasing (I'm a liberal too, after all), it seems to me that it can't be completely true. But I don't have a strong enough grasp of American history to prove it wrong. So what am I missing? What have liberals been proven wrong about? [more inside]
posted by AngerBoy on Dec 24, 2009 - 63 answers

Americans: if you had to represent the USA with only three things, what would they be? [more inside]
posted by lapsangsouchong on Oct 22, 2009 - 95 answers

What resources (films, books, websites) can I share with my 13 y/o daughter who has expressed a recent keen admiration and care for the American soldier from the Vietnam War era to the present? [more inside]
posted by keith0718 on Sep 3, 2009 - 22 answers

What country or countries have the longest continuously functioning government? Please specify the type/form of government, such as US/ democratic republic.
posted by woman on May 31, 2009 - 14 answers

Where can I find video footage of Jesse Helms from the 1960s? [more inside]
posted by EarBucket on Feb 13, 2009 - 7 answers

Significant historical and/or political figures since 1945? [more inside]
posted by kiki_s on Jan 28, 2009 - 24 answers

Are there any Canadian federal election maps out there, coloring each federal riding by the winning party? I am thinking something like the Red/Blue coloring that is often done in the US (like this), but preferably something with intermediate colors (like this). [more inside]
posted by TheyCallItPeace on Dec 3, 2008 - 6 answers

I'm looking for a listing, preferably something with citations of the actual state laws, of when each state changed it's laws to allow for the direct election of electors in the electoral college.
posted by phrontist on Oct 22, 2008 - 1 answer

Help me rationally and calmly document the Bush administration to a friend who thinks history will hold it in "high regard"? [more inside]
posted by idb on Sep 14, 2008 - 34 answers

What are some powerful examples throughout history of public figures or concepts that have successfully united disparate people?
posted by deern the headlice on May 23, 2008 - 24 answers

Where can I find film footage of Richard Nixon bowling? [more inside]
posted by Tlogmer on Apr 19, 2008 - 1 answer

Help me teach myself about the current political and social climate in Russia. [more inside]
posted by ellenaim on Mar 21, 2008 - 12 answers

Can you think of any examples of "jawboning" from history? [more inside]
posted by yesno on Mar 6, 2008 - 4 answers

Can anyone reccomend good books, or documentaries, about Australia (history, culture, politics) written by people from outside Australia? [more inside]
posted by Jimbob on Feb 7, 2008 - 11 answers

I'm looking for book suggestions for a radical reading group. [more inside]
posted by arcadia on Jan 29, 2008 - 24 answers

Where can I find a downloadable version of Michael Murphey's classic, "Temple of the Sun" to download? Of course I am willing to pay for the copyrighted, legal, etc. version. But I would rather not have to buy the entire Swans Against the Sun CD to get this one song. Also, HUGE Bonus Points if you can lead me to similar(?) songs which might interest my sons (see inside for more on this challenge). [more inside]
posted by misha on Jan 7, 2008 - 8 answers

Books about Burma? [more inside]
posted by UbuRoivas on Nov 19, 2007 - 17 answers

Deforestation. Extinction. Soil depletion. Toxicity. Mental illness. Mass imprisonment. Neocolonialism. Etceterugh. What should one read for a better comprehension of just what the hell we're doing to the planet, ourselves, and eachother? [more inside]
posted by poweredbybeard on Sep 21, 2007 - 45 answers

I always hear that blogging and YouTube are (and/or will be) revolutionary in American politics. Is this true? How so? Can you recommend recent books, academic articles, extended blog posts and other media that demonstrate (or argue against) the effects of blogging, citizen journalism, social networking web sites and YouTube on American politics? Differing viewpoints would be appreciated!
posted by eswusp86 on Aug 11, 2007 - 8 answers

Why did George Romney get outed from the 1968 presidential race? [more inside]
posted by freddymungo on May 21, 2007 - 7 answers

Help me devise a quiz testing my students (college fresh-people) on fundamental knowledge of current events, history, and culture. [more inside]
posted by papakwanz on Apr 13, 2007 - 34 answers

Help me find illuminating, educating, eye-opening articles on immigration for a class I'm teaching at the Kennedy School of Government. [more inside]
posted by josh on Apr 11, 2007 - 5 answers

What books should I read to get a crash course in US political history? [more inside]
posted by fishmasta on Apr 2, 2007 - 26 answers

What is the origin of the phrase "mistakes were made" - who said it, and in reference to what? [more inside]
posted by etoile on Mar 13, 2007 - 14 answers

What is a GOC? [more inside]
posted by rabbitsnake on Mar 5, 2007 - 4 answers

I find that I don't read enough news. When I look at the headlines I am lost about the history of the situation. Does anyone know of a news site that has the news with good historical link-outs to give me a broader understanding of the situation?
posted by lukeomalley on Feb 13, 2007 - 18 answers

Why has democracy, at least our version of it in the west, proven so difficult a system of government to maintain in the third/developping world? [more inside]
posted by dflemingdotorg on Oct 27, 2006 - 35 answers

Can anyone recommend any good documentaries? Bonus points if its history or culture related. [more inside]
posted by Vindaloo on Aug 23, 2006 - 38 answers

Bibliophiles: I want to read a book on every US president for my summer reading project. Recommendations? [more inside]
posted by state fxn on May 24, 2006 - 17 answers

Good U. S. Supreme Court histories? I really like the Supreme Court. I like to hear about it and read about it. I love the place it occupies in our national politics, the deliberative position it holds. I'm interested in reading books of history about it, how it has evolved, major trends, what it used to be like. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by OmieWise on Jan 25, 2006 - 15 answers

Please help me find this interview with former House Appropriations Chairman Jamie Whitten of Mississippi. [more inside]
posted by Mr. Justice on Dec 6, 2005 - 3 answers

Good books to read before wandering about Central and South America for a few months? [more inside]
posted by airguitar on Nov 11, 2005 - 19 answers

I'm looking for some timelines that chart recent/current events - for instance, a timeline that logs the major news stories in the months leading up to the 2004 election; or, a timeline that charts important stories in the war on terror since/before 9/11. Doesn't have to be links, could just be headlines. thanks for any suggestions
posted by greggish on Aug 30, 2005 - 9 answers

I'm over 30 and probably know as much or less about history, politics/ gov, and current events as my 7 year old niece. Now, I want to be aware and don't know where to begin. I've tried just "merging in" but the references, terms, and names are lost on me. I need a starting point that will give me a framework or bird's eye view to start from and build on. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 24, 2005 - 27 answers

Curiosity struck and I'm looking for a year-by-year breakdown of the number of times the filibuster has been used. A chart with further breakdowns of senator, state, party, duration, cause, and whether the filibuster was ended via cloture would be even nicer. [more inside]
posted by rudyfink on May 17, 2005 - 7 answers

What accomplishments have been achieved by the current Bush administration? [more inside]
posted by DeepFriedTwinkies on Feb 19, 2005 - 25 answers

Out of curiousity (I'm not trying to be political), has it been the standard MO of popularly elected dictators, or any dictator, to tout the freedom of their people? Was the subject of liberty just ignored by leaders of Germany, Italy, Spain, et. al?
posted by borkingchikapa on Jan 21, 2005 - 13 answers

What's so great about the U.S. constitution? From a political science perspective, a legal perspective, a historical perspective? Non-USians without a written constitution especially invited to reply.
posted by insideout on Dec 4, 2004 - 33 answers

Who is Karl Rove's historical counterpart? Is there any figure in history that can match his level of cunning intellect and political expertise?
posted by invisible ink on Nov 9, 2004 - 26 answers

What is the name for the people who were allowed to sit outside the Roman Senate and shout their opposition to whatever was going on inside?
posted by swift on Nov 6, 2004 - 2 answers

Why is there such a seething hysteric hatred from Republicans over Bill Clinton? I've never read or seen anything like it in modern political history.
posted by the fire you left me on Jun 21, 2004 - 51 answers

AskMefi provided some great answers a few weeks ago to my solicitation for book recommendations. Now for a similar but unrelated question. I have a friend at law school who is an exchange student from Europe. He has had none of the mandated high school U.S. history curriculum that had been drilled into the heads of the rest of us years ago. As such, he would like some background on American political history to supplement our constitutional law lectures and McCloskey and Levinson's The American Supreme Court, which has been assigned for the class. Any suggestions?
posted by PrinceValium on Feb 5, 2004 - 5 answers