The Greatest Americans?

The Discovery Channel and AOL launched a contest today asking “Who is the Greatest American?” According to the Associated Press story, the specific criteria is naming the Americans who they believe “most influenced the way they think, work and live.” I’ve already entered my five names, in ascending order of importance: 5) Paul Volcker — ...

By , a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

The Discovery Channel and AOL launched a contest today asking "Who is the Greatest American?" According to the Associated Press story, the specific criteria is naming the Americans who they believe "most influenced the way they think, work and live." I've already entered my five names, in ascending order of importance:

The Discovery Channel and AOL launched a contest today asking “Who is the Greatest American?” According to the Associated Press story, the specific criteria is naming the Americans who they believe “most influenced the way they think, work and live.” I’ve already entered my five names, in ascending order of importance:

5) Paul Volcker — a seemingly odd choice, but his stint at the Federal Reserve dramatixally altered expectations about inflation, to the point where it has become politically unacceptable to push for mild forms of inflation. For the century before Volcker came along, that was not true. 4) George Washington — think about how the United States would be different had Washington not decided to step dowmn after two terms of office. One could argue that his precedent sealed America’s political future just as much as the Constitution. 3) Elvis Presley — the godfather of alll American popular culture. 2) Thomas Edison — For God’s sake, any man who could inspire Homer Simpson to industrious activity belongs on this list!! More seriously, Edison symbolizes the range of private entrepreneurship that made the United States such a dynamic economy. 1) Abraham Lincoln — America’s greatest President and one of America’s greatest writers. We live in his image of America.

Honorable mentions for Jackie Robinson, Steve Jobs, Ronald Reagan, Marilyn Monroe, and Henry Ford. Readers are encouraged to post their own top 5. UPDATE: Some excellent suggestions have been put forward in the comments — particularly George Marshall.

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

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