Daniel Patrick Moynihan and the Politics of Tragedy

Abstract How does tragedy, primarily a dramatic-literary experience, shape politics? While scholars have mostly looked to classical tragedy and expressions of public mourning answer this, I employ policy-oriented case study do so: the politics Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Widely known for his data-driven social science, want suggest counterintuitive claim that popular senator from New York was ironically also influenced deeply by literary tragedy. This article demonstrates how Moynihan cultivated set tragic sensibilities informed realist political calculations implanted in policies awareness limited goals what government could achieve, while helping define it should how. Rather than evaluate validity controversial proposals 1960s, offer critical reexamination highlights impulses coloring them. In process, conceptualize as “tamed” form postwar liberalism.