What Randolph Bourne thinks about America
American essayist (1886 to 1918); author of War and the Intellectuals.
Randolph Bourne did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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5 dated positions, c. 1917–1918, in their own words. Our reading of what Randolph Bourne has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Their wordsThe intellectuals, in other words, have identified themselves with the least democratic forces in American life.
↗Untimely Papers (essays of 1917-1918, published 1919)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book
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Their wordsOur war followed, as all wars follow, a monstrous failure of diplomacy.
↗Untimely Papers (essays of 1917-1918, published 1919)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book
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Their wordsGuarding neutrality, we might have counted toward a speedy and democratic peace. In the war, we are a rudderless nation, to be exploited as the Allies wish, politically and materially, and towed, to their aggrandizement, in any direction which they may desire.
↗Untimely Papers (essays of 1917-1918, published 1919)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book
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Our readingOne must choose between the war and America's promise, because the war will impoverish it
Their wordsThe war—or American promise: one must choose. One cannot be interested in both. For the effect of the war will be to impoverish American promise.
↗Untimely Papers (essays of 1917-1918, published 1919)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book
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Their wordsIt is not an arena of creative intelligence our country’s mind is now, but of mob-psychology.
↗Untimely Papers (essays of 1917-1918, published 1919)gutenberg.org All 21 from this book