What was the subject of Hillary Rodham's senior thesis at Wellesley College in 1969?

In 1969, Hillary Rodham wrote a senior thesis for Wellesley College that focused on the views advocated by the community organizer Saul Alinsky.

What was the full title of Hillary Rodham's 92-page senior thesis?

The full title of Hillary Rodham's 92-page senior thesis was "There Is Only the Fight . . . ": An Analysis of the Alinsky Model.

Who was the community organizer whose views were analyzed in Hillary Rodham's senior thesis?

The community organizer whose views were analyzed in Hillary Rodham's senior thesis was Saul Alinsky.

How did Hillary Rodham conduct her research for the thesis?

Rodham researched her thesis by interviewing Saul Alinsky, conducting visits to low-income areas of Chicago, and observing Community Action Programs in those areas.

Who served as Hillary Rodham's thesis adviser at Wellesley College?

Alan Schechter, a professor of political science at Wellesley College, served as Hillary Rodham's thesis adviser.

What was the thesis's stance on Saul Alinsky's critiques of government antipoverty programs?

The thesis was sympathetic to Saul Alinsky's critiques of government antipoverty programs, agreeing with his assessment that they tended to be too top-down and removed from the wishes of individuals.

How did Rodham's thesis evaluate Saul Alinsky's methods?

While sympathetic to Alinsky's critiques, Rodham's thesis criticized his methods as largely ineffective.

What was the thesis's conclusion regarding the applicability of Alinsky's power/conflict model?

The thesis concluded that Alinsky's power/conflict model was rendered inapplicable by existing social conflicts and had not expanded nationally due to "the anachronistic nature of small autonomous conflict."

How did a 2007 New York Times review summarize Rodham's position relative to Alinsky?

A 2007 review in The New York Times summarized Rodham's position by stating she endorsed Alinsky's critique of top-down antipoverty programs but disagreed with his emphasis on agitation, believing change should occur within the system.

What did Hillary Rodham write in her thesis about "social catharsis"?

In her thesis, Hillary Rodham wrote that "social catharsis" cannot be prescribed universally and that it "has a way of perpetuating itself so that it becomes an end in itself."

According to a 2016 Politico article, what observation did Rodham make about society in her thesis?

According to a 2016 Politico article quoting the thesis, Rodham observed that society seemed to be in a transition period, caught between conflict and consensus, and that contrived conflict exacerbated polarization.

What was Rodham's personal interaction with Saul Alinsky mentioned in the thesis acknowledgements?

In the thesis acknowledgements, Rodham thanked Alinsky for two interviews and a job offer, which she declined, stating she needed "three years of legal rigor" after trying to make sense of his inconsistency.

What was the academic reception of Hillary Rodham's senior thesis?

The thesis was praised by all four of its reviewers, and Hillary Rodham, as an honors student, received an A grade on it.

When did Hillary Rodham's senior thesis first gain significant public attention?

The thesis gained significant public attention when Hillary Rodham Clinton entered the White House as First Lady in the 1990s.

What action did the White House take regarding the thesis in early 1993?

In early 1993, the White House requested that Wellesley College not release the thesis to anyone.

How did Wellesley College respond to the White House's request concerning the thesis?

Wellesley College complied with the White House request, instituting a new rule that closed access to the thesis of any sitting U.S. president or First Lady, a rule that effectively applied only to Rodham.

What did critics suggest was the reason for the restricted access to the thesis in the mid-1990s?

By the mid-1990s, critics seized upon the restricted access as evidence that the thesis contained politically explosive contents revealing hidden radicalism or extremism.

What did columnists Jack Anderson and Jan Moller surmise about the thesis's conclusion in 1999?

In 1999, Jack Anderson and Jan Moller surmised that the thesis's conclusion might be at variance with Clinton Administration policies, suggesting it criticized Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" programs and concluded that community-based anti-poverty programs did not work.

What did biographer Barbara Olson speculate in 1999 about why Hillary Rodham might want her thesis hidden?

In 1999, biographer Barbara Olson speculated that Hillary Rodham likely did not want the American people to know the extent to which she had internalized and assimilated the beliefs and methods of Saul Alinsky.

When was Hillary Rodham's thesis made available to the public?

The thesis was made available by the Wellesley College archives after the Clintons left the White House in 2001.

What happened when a copy of the thesis was listed on eBay in 2001?

In 2001, a copy of the thesis was listed on eBay by Political USA, advertised as something "Hillary Clinton doesn't want you to see." Bidding reached $50,000 before eBay pulled the listing due to copyright concerns.

How did Hillary Clinton briefly mention her thesis in her 2003 memoir, *Living History*?

In her memoir *Living History*, Clinton briefly mentioned the thesis, stating she agreed with some of Alinsky's ideas but not his belief that changing the system from within was impossible.

What did Peggy Noonan speculate in 2005 about the significance of the thesis?

In 2005, Peggy Noonan speculated that the thesis was the "Rosetta Stone" of Hillary biographies, defining "how to change the American political culture."

How did NBC News reporter Bill Dedman bring public exposure to the thesis in 2005?

In 2005, Bill Dedman had his journalism class at Boston University read the thesis and write articles about it, bringing it public exposure.

What did Bill Dedman find regarding the thesis's disclosure of Rodham's own views?

After reading the thesis and interviewing Rodham's adviser, Bill Dedman found that the thesis did not disclose much of Rodham's own views.

What was the assessment of the thesis by *The Boston Globe* in 2007?

A 2007 assessment by *The Boston Globe* found the thesis nuanced, stating that while Rodham defended Alinsky, she was also dispassionate, disappointed, and amused by his divisive methods and dogmatic ideology.

What did Rodham's thesis adviser, Alan Schechter, say about the suppression of the thesis?

Alan Schechter told Bill Dedman that the thesis was good and that its suppression by the Clinton White House "was a stupid political decision, obviously, at the time."

How did interest in the thesis connect to the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries?

Interest in the thesis resurfaced during the 2008 primaries because Hillary Clinton's opponent, Barack Obama, had also been involved in Chicago community organizing, a field influenced by Alinsky.

What was the length of Hillary Rodham's senior thesis?

Hillary Rodham's senior thesis was 92 pages long.

What specific areas of Chicago did Rodham visit for her thesis research?

Rodham visited low-income areas of Chicago for her thesis research.

What type of programs did Rodham observe during her visits to Chicago?

Rodham observed Community Action Programs during her visits to Chicago.

What did Rodham's thesis suggest about the national expansion of Alinsky's model?

The thesis concluded that Alinsky's model had not expanded nationally due to "the anachronistic nature of small autonomous conflict."

What was the specific criticism leveled against Alinsky's methods in the thesis?

The thesis criticized Alinsky's methods as largely ineffective.

What did Rodham believe about the process of change, in contrast to Alinsky's approach?

Rodham believed that change should happen "within the system," differing from Alinsky's approach of agitation and "rubbing raw the sores of discontent."

What was the nature of the "conflict" Rodham identified in society within her thesis?

Rodham identified "contrived conflict" as a factor that served to exacerbate polarization between the establishment and the anti-establishment.

What was the reason Rodham gave for declining Alinsky's job offer?

Rodham declined Alinsky's job offer because, after spending a year trying to understand his inconsistency, she felt she needed "three years of legal rigor."

What was the claim made by Political USA when listing the thesis on eBay?

Political USA claimed that "Hillary Clinton doesn't want you to see this" when advertising the thesis on eBay.

What was the reason cited for eBay pulling the listing of Hillary Rodham's thesis?

eBay pulled the listing of the thesis due to copyright concerns.

What specific phrase did Hillary Clinton use in her memoir *Living History* to describe her disagreement with Alinsky?

In *Living History*, Clinton stated she disagreed with Alinsky's belief that it was impossible to "change the system" from inside.

What did reporter Dorian Davis do with the thesis after obtaining it via microfilm in 2007?

After obtaining the thesis via microfilm in 2007, Dorian Davis sent it to Peggy Noonan and Amanda Carpenter for their analysis and writing.

What was the "stupid political decision" Alan Schechter referred to regarding the thesis?

Alan Schechter referred to the suppression of Hillary Rodham's thesis by the Clinton White House from 1993 to 2001 as a "stupid political decision."

What connection was drawn between Hillary Rodham's thesis and Barack Obama's background in 2008?

During the 2008 primaries, interest in Rodham's thesis was linked to Barack Obama's background as a Chicago community organizer, as he too had reportedly been exposed to Alinsky-style ideas and methods.

What does the article include an image of related to the thesis?

The article includes an image depicting the cover page of Hillary Rodham's senior thesis.

What did critics contend the thesis contained evidence of regarding Rodham's views?

Critics contended that the thesis contained evidence that Rodham had held strong far-left or socialist views.

What was the specific title of the biography by Donnie Radcliffe that referenced the thesis?

The specific title of the biography by Donnie Radcliffe that referenced the thesis was *Hillary Rodham Clinton: A First Lady for Our Time*.

What was the title of David Brock's book for which he was unable to access the thesis?

David Brock was unable to access the thesis for his book titled *The Seduction of Hillary Rodham*.

What was the title of the column by Jack Anderson and Jan Moller that discussed the thesis access?

The title of the column by Jack Anderson and Jan Moller was "Washington Merry-Go-Round."

What was the title of Barbara Olson's 1999 book that discussed the thesis?

Barbara Olson's 1999 book that discussed the thesis was titled *Hell to Pay: The Unfolding Story of Hillary Rodham Clinton*.

What was the title of the book by Hillary Clinton that briefly mentioned her thesis?

The book by Hillary Clinton that briefly mentioned her thesis was titled *Living History*.

What was the title of Peggy Noonan's column where she speculated about the thesis's significance?

Peggy Noonan's column where she speculated about the thesis's significance was titled "Eine KleineBiographie."

What publication featured an article by Amanda Carpenter about the thesis in March 2007?

The publication *Human Events* featured an article by Amanda Carpenter about the thesis in March 2007.

Hillary Rodham Senior Thesis Wiki: The Alinsky Thesis: Hillary Rodham's Academic Inquiry

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The Thesis: An Academic Endeavor

Foundational Work

In 1969, Hillary Rodham, then a student at Wellesley College, authored a 92-page senior thesis titled "There Is Only the Fight... : An Analysis of the Alinsky Model." This academic work delved into the philosophy and methodologies of community organizer Saul Alinsky.

Context and Subject

The thesis focused on Saul Alinsky, a prominent figure in American community organizing. Rodham's research involved direct engagement, including interviews with Alinsky himself and observational visits to low-income areas in Chicago to study Community Action Programs.

Academic Merit

The thesis was met with significant academic approval, receiving praise from all four of its reviewers. Rodham, recognized as an honors student, was awarded an 'A' grade for her comprehensive analysis.

Research and Methodology

Direct Engagement

Rodham's research methodology was characterized by direct interaction. She conducted interviews with Saul Alinsky, gaining firsthand insights into his perspectives and strategies. This personal engagement provided a unique foundation for her analysis.

Field Observation

Beyond interviews, Rodham undertook observational visits to Chicago's low-income neighborhoods. Her focus was on understanding the practical application and impact of Community Action Programs, offering a grounded perspective on Alinsky's theories in practice.

Academic Guidance

The thesis was guided by Professor Alan Schechter, a political science faculty member at Wellesley College. His mentorship was instrumental in shaping Rodham's academic exploration of Alinsky's model.

Core Analysis and Critique

Sympathy and Disagreement

Rodham's thesis demonstrated a nuanced perspective. While she found Alinsky's critiques of government antipoverty programs compelling and his personality appealing, she ultimately criticized his methods as largely ineffective. She noted that his approach of "social catharsis" could become an end in itself.

Theoretical Framework

The thesis sought to contextualize Alinsky within a lineage of American social activists, including figures like Eugene V. Debs and Martin Luther King Jr. However, it concluded that Alinsky's power/conflict model was rendered inapplicable by existing social conflicts and that its national expansion was hindered by the "anachronistic nature of small autonomous conflict."

Polarization and Systemic Change

Rodham expressed concern that Alinsky's emphasis on conflict could exacerbate societal polarization. She articulated a belief in the possibility of change from within the system, contrasting with Alinsky's more confrontational approach. Her analysis suggested society was in a transitional phase between conflict and consensus.

Academic Reception and Public Interest

Scholarly Acclaim

The thesis garnered significant academic praise, receiving an 'A' grade and positive reviews from all four evaluators. This underscored the quality and thoroughness of Rodham's research and analysis during her undergraduate studies.

Media Scrutiny and Speculation

Following Hillary Rodham Clinton's entry into the White House, the thesis attracted considerable media attention. Speculation arose among political opponents and researchers regarding its contents, with some suggesting it revealed radical or socialist leanings.

Enduring Allure

Years after its initial creation, the thesis continued to be a subject of interest. Columnists like Peggy Noonan referred to it as a "Rosetta Stone" for understanding Clinton's political evolution, highlighting its perceived significance in defining her approach to political culture.

Access Restrictions and Controversy

White House Request

In early 1993, the White House requested that Wellesley College limit access to the thesis. In response, the college instituted a policy restricting the release of theses by sitting presidents or First Ladies, a rule that effectively applied only to Rodham at the time.

Political Implications

The restricted access fueled political speculation, with critics suggesting the thesis contained politically explosive material. Biographers and columnists like David Brock and Barbara Olson noted the intense interest and the perceived desire to conceal its contents, implying it might reveal radical beliefs.

Media Investigations

Journalists such as Jack Anderson and Jan Moller were rebuffed in their attempts to access the document. Reports suggested the thesis criticized Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" programs, claiming Rodham concluded that community-based programs were ineffective.

Dedman's Assessment

Reporter Bill Dedman, after reviewing the thesis and interviewing Rodham's advisor, described the White House's decision to seal the document as a "stupid political decision." He found that the thesis itself did not reveal extensive personal views but was rather a nuanced academic analysis.

Enduring Significance

Unlocking Understanding

The thesis became a focal point for understanding Hillary Rodham Clinton's intellectual development and political philosophy. Its perceived importance led to extensive media coverage and analysis, attempting to connect its content to her later political career.

Connection to Political Discourse

Interest in the thesis resurfaced during the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries, particularly in relation to Barack Obama's background as a community organizer. The thesis was seen by some as a key to understanding the broader landscape of community organizing and its influence on political figures.

Availability and Continued Study

Following the Clintons' departure from the White House in 2001, the thesis was made available through Wellesley College archives and interlibrary loan. This allowed for broader academic and public access, facilitating continued study and discussion of its contents and implications.

References

Source Citations

^ ^a ^b Kruse, Michael (August 26, 2016). "The First Time Hillary Clinton Was President". Politico Magazine. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
^ Carl Bernstein, A Woman in Charge: The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Knopf, 2007, ISBN 0-375-40766-9, p. 57.
^ ^a ^b ^c Bill Dedman, "How the Clintons wrapped up Hillary's thesis: 'A stupid political decision,' says her former Wellesley poli-sci professor", msnbc.com, March 2, 2007. Accessed September 25, 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Bill Dedman, "Reading Hillary Rodham's hidden thesis: Clinton White House asked Wellesley College to close off access", msnbc.com, March 2, 2007. Accessed September 25, 2018.
^ Leibovich, Mark (2007-09-05). "In Turmoil of '68, Clinton Found a New Voice". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Peter Slevin, "For Clinton and Obama, a Common Ideological Touchstone", The Washington Post, March 25, 2007. Accessed August 10, 2015.
^ Donnie Radcliffe, Hillary Rodham Clinton : A First Lady for Our Time. Warner Books, 1993, ISBN 0-446-51766-6, p. 77.
^ David Brock, The Seduction of Hillary Rodham. Free Press, 1996, ISBN 0-684-83451-0, p. 17.
^ ^a ^b Michael Levenson, "A student's words, a candidate's struggle", The Boston Globe, March 4, 2007. Accessed July 14, 2007.
^ Jeff Gerth and Don Van Natta, Jr., Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Little, Brown and Co., 2007, ISBN 0-316-01742-6, p. 33.
^ ^a ^b Jack Anderson and Jan Moller, "Hillary's College Thesis Off-limits", Washington Merry-Go-Round, United Features Syndicate, The Hour (Norwalk, Connecticut), March 9, 1999, page A12.
^ Barbara Olson, Hell to Pay: The Unfolding Story of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Regnery Publishing, 1999, ISBN 0-89526-197-9, pp. 45–46.
^ Watson, Pernell (9 May 2003). "Hillary Clinton's college paper available". Newspapers.com. Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia). Retrieved 25 August 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Hillary Clinton's thesis yanked from eBay bidding". Newspapers.com. The Atlanta Constitution. 14 Jun 2001. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
^ "Radical thoughts". Newspapers.com. The Boston Globe. 7 Jun 2001. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
^ ^a ^b "'69 thesis purported to be Sen. Clinton's". Newspapers.com. South Florida Sun Sentinel. 8 Jun 2001. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
^ Hillary Rodham Clinton, Living History. Simon & Schuster, 2003, ISBN 0-7432-2224-5, p. 38.
^ Peggy Noonan, "Eine KleineBiographie", The Wall Street Journal, June 23, 2005. Accessed March 3, 2007.
^ "Hillary's Wellesley Thesis Shows Want of An Enemy" Archived 2007-10-16 at the Wayback Machine, Human Events, March 9, 2007

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The Alinsky Thesis

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The Thesis: An Academic Endeavor 📜

🎓 Foundational Work

🧑‍🏫 Context and Subject

💡 Academic Merit

Research and Methodology 🔍

🗣️ Direct Engagement

🏙️ Field Observation

🏛️ Academic Guidance

Core Analysis and Critique 📊

⚖️ Sympathy and Disagreement

🔄 Theoretical Framework

↔️ Polarization and Systemic Change

Academic Reception and Public Interest 🌟

👍 Scholarly Acclaim

🗣️ Media Scrutiny and Speculation

📚 Enduring Allure

Access Restrictions and Controversy 🔒

🏛️ White House Request

📰 Political Implications

⚖️ Media Investigations

📢 Dedman's Assessment

Enduring Significance 🏛️

🔑 Unlocking Understanding

🌐 Connection to Political Discourse

📖 Availability and Continued Study

References 📚

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

The Thesis: An Academic Endeavor

Foundational Work

Context and Subject

Academic Merit

Research and Methodology

Direct Engagement

Field Observation

Academic Guidance

Core Analysis and Critique

Sympathy and Disagreement

Theoretical Framework

Polarization and Systemic Change

Academic Reception and Public Interest

Scholarly Acclaim

Media Scrutiny and Speculation

Enduring Allure

Access Restrictions and Controversy

White House Request

Political Implications

Media Investigations

Dedman's Assessment

Enduring Significance

Unlocking Understanding

Connection to Political Discourse

Availability and Continued Study

References

Source Citations

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice