The Multiple Personalities of Daniel J. Boorstin: A Third Image Analysis
Abstract
This article presents a new interpretation of Boorstin's political thought. I contend that there are three Daniel J. Boorstins. and that the third image represents the core of Boorstin's political thought. The third image centers on Boorstin's insistence that an essence guides and directs American politics and thought. Boorstin terms his version of essence "givenness." According to Boorstin, essence, or "givenness," was assigned to America by a Supreme Being. While Louis Hartz bases his concept of "irrational Lockeanism" in the thought of a social contract theorist. Daniel Boorstin bases his notion in the essence of God.
Recommended Citation
Meagher, M. E. (1994). The Multiple Personalities of Daniel J. Boorstin: A Third Image Analysis. American Review of Politics, 15, pp. 461-480. University of Oklahoma Libraries.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2374-7781.1994.15.0.461-480
Department(s)
History and Political Science
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2026 The Authors, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
1994
