{"product_id":"god-of-the-machine-9781560006664","title":"God of the Machine","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe God of the Machine\u003c\/em\u003e presents an original theory of history and a bold defense of individualism as the source of moral and political progress. When it was published in 1943, Isabel Paterson's work provided fresh intellectual support for the endangered American belief in individual rights, limited government, and economic freedom. The crisis of today's collectivized nations would not have surprised Paterson; in \u003cem\u003eThe God of the Machine, \u003c\/em\u003eshe had explored the reasons for collectivism's failure. Her book placed her in the vanguard of the free-enterprise movement now sweeping the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePaterson sees the individual creative mind as the dynamo of history, and respect for the individual's God-given rights as the precondition for the enormous release of energy that produced the modern world. She sees capitalist institutions as the machinery through which human energy works, and government as a device properly used merely to cut off power to activities that threaten personal liberty.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePaterson applies her general theory to particular issues in contemporary life, such as education, .social welfare, and the causes of economic distress. She severely criticizes all but minimal application of government, including governmental interventions that most people have long taken for granted. \u003cem\u003eThe God of the Machine \u003c\/em\u003eoffers a challenging perspective on the continuing, worldwide debate about the nature of freedom, the uses of power, and the prospects of human betterment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStephen Cox's substantial introduction to \u003cem\u003eThe God of the Machine \u003c\/em\u003eis a comprehensive and enlightening account of Paterson's colorful life and work. He describes \u003cem\u003eThe God of the Machine \u003c\/em\u003eas \"not just theory, but rhapsody, satire, diatribe, poetic narrative.\" Paterson's work continues to be relevant because \"it exposes the moral and practical failures of collectivism, failures that are now almost universally acknowledged but are still far from universally understood.\" The book will be essential to students of American history, political theory, and literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePaterson, Isabel:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIsabel Paterson \u003c\/em\u003e(1886-1961) was a journalist, critic, and author of nine books. She is considered to be one of the founders of American libertarianism.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCox, Stephen:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eStephen Cox\u003c\/em\u003e is professor of literature and director of the Humanities Program at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author of \u003cem\u003eThe Woman and the Dynamo: Isabel Paterson and the Idea of America\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Routledge","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50356493811986,"sku":"9781560006664","price":67.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_e9d9ffac-bf0f-4bbd-9bff-4be40cb4ee6b.jpg?v=1728310553","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/god-of-the-machine-9781560006664","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}