Drift and Mastery

By Walter Lippmann

Book Overview

Celebrating a decade of Columbia Global Reports, the Forerunners series revives groundbreaking works of investigative journalism and incisive analysis published a century before CGR's founding. These texts, once forgotten or underexplored, reflect CGR's core mission: fearless reporting, global perspective, and intellectual rigor. Each selection remains strikingly relevant today, offering historical insights that challenge contemporary perspectives and reaffirm the power of journalism to shape the world.

In Drift and Mastery, a twenty-five-year-old Walter Lippmann surveyed what he saw as the chaos of newly industrial America and dreamed of a bold new future. Published in 1914, at the height of the Progressive Era, this audacious manifesto diagnosed the spiritual and political confusion of a nation grappling with unbridled capitalism, mass immigration, and the collapse of old certainties. Rejecting the sentimental populism of William Jennings Bryan and the moralizing of Woodrow Wilson, Lippmann embraced Theodore Roosevelt's "New Nationalism," envisioning a society led not by profiteers but by trained experts--scientists, managers, and professionals working for the common good.

More than a period piece, Drift and Mastery is striking in its embrace of centralized knowledge, its optimism about reform, and its blind spots about power. Nicholas Lemann's incisive introduction places the book alongside the contemporary work of thinkers like John Dewey and W. E. B. Du Bois while highlighting its relevance in an age of populist backlash and elite mistrust. Lippmann's flawed but fearless vision challenges us to rethink democratic leadership today.

The complete Forerunners series:

Campaigns of Curiosity, by Elizabeth L. Banks; with an introduction by Brooke KroegerCuba in War Time, by Richard Harding Davis; with an introduction by Peter MaasRace Adjustment, by Kelly Miller; with an introduction by Jonathan Scott HollowayDrift and Mastery, by Walter Lippmann; with an introduction by Nicholas Lemann

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1967190089
• ISBN13: 9781967190089
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Columbia Global Reports
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.0" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Are we still drifting?

Lippman's erudite and insightful observations about the world around him are still very pertinent today. Lippman goes on throughout the book to make keen observations about the society around him hoping the reader will take note. The main idea is that the culture has approached a crossroads and will need to make a decision about where to go next: Should the changes and cultural norms be mastered? Or will we just drift along letting them control us. This is one of the first and monumental Lippman works, differing from his post WW1 analysis of the world. Keep in mind this work is the last where Lippman contends that we can still take hold of our destiny and master the changes. With the publication of "Public Opinion" and the new idea of the Phantom public, Lippman has no faith in the public or their observations to take charge and master the world around them. Overall great introduction to Lippman and culture in the progressive era.

An important social analysis

This is Walter Lippmann's erudite and often perspicuous examination of the "progressing" American society of the early twentieth century. For Lippmann society is in a constant state of drift and confusion. The confusion is promulgated throughout society by means of the large scale shift from pre-modern industrialism to modern industrialism. In order to obtain mastery what new forms of cohesion have to emerge? Lippmann rejects laissez-fair, William Graham Sumner's brand of individualism, and aligns himself with men like Herbert Croly (his soon to be partner at the New Republic). Society needs cohesion. Lippmann's answer, similar to Croly's, is pluralism (this is mastery). He does not buy the totally homogenous vision of society. Instead his vision is pluralist - large interest groups are emerging and social order can be achieved if a balance or common principle can be met between these common interest groups. In Drift and Mastery Lippmann discusses organized labor (in which he welcomes unions distinguishing himself from Croly), the consumer movement (the importance of objective consumer advice), the women's movement, and corporate managers (Lippmann had already abandoned his previous attraction to socialism). For Lippmann socialism was no longer needed because the robber barons were being replaced by socially minded managers who wanted to establish market share. Ownership is being democratized by the share of stock. The book is rooted in actual observation allowing its readers to identify with it immediately. In it they observe the new modern era that is taking shape. How will the problems be solved? Lippmann sees science replacing religion as the primary device for solving peoples' problems. Science is the discipline of democracy. Science is no longer a threat. Instead it is a good thing in the Progressive Era. Lippmann even uses the word diagnose (a word with explict scientific conotations) in the subtitle.

A defining study of society in the early 20th century

This is Walter Lippmann's erudite and often perspicuous examination of the "progressing" American society of the early twentieth century. For Lippmann society is in a constant state of drift and confusion. The confusion is promulgated throughout society by means of the large scale shift from pre-modern industrialism to modern industrialism. In order to obtain mastery what new forms of cohesion have to emerge? Lippmann rejects laissez-fair, William Graham Sumner's brand of individualism, and aligns himself with men like Herbert Croly (his soon to be partner at the New Republic). Society needs cohesion. Lippmann's answer, similar to Croly's, is pluralism (this is mastery). He does not buy the totally homogenous vision of society. Instead his vision is pluralist - large interest groups are emerging and social order can be achieved if a balance or common principle can be met between these common interest groups. In Drift and Mastery Lippmann discusses organized labor (in which he welcomes unions distinguishing himself from Croly), the consumer movement (the importance of objective consumer advice), the women's movement, and corporate managers (Lippmann had already abandoned his previous attraction to socialism. For Lippmann socialism was no longer needed because the robber barons were being replaced by socially minded managers who wanted to establish market share. Ownership is being democratized by the share of stock. The book is rooted in actual observation allowing its readers to identify with it immediately. In it they observe the new modern era that is taking shape. How will the problems be solved? Lippmann sees science replacing religion as the primary device for solving peoples' problems. Science is the discipline of democracy. Science is no longer a threat. Instead it is a good thing in the Progressive Era.

Ahead of his time

Walter Lippmann's vision of a cooperative America in 1914 has withstood the test of time as a paradigm for retaining our humanity during industrialization. His emphasis on science, communication, labor organization, and the women's movement has uncannily mirrored the intervening 90 years. Although a few of his sentiments and observations are outdated, the majority of his recommendations are still applicable to today's society.The title is the clearest indication of the timeless pertinence of this work. In all eras of change, drift has been of the utmost importance. In today's world of exponentially progressing technology and corporate mechanization, we often feel helpless against the tides of nation-wide change. Mastery, then, is the ability to band together and set those changes on the course of prosperity without sacrificing our individuality.Lippmann outlines the problems, solutions, and repercussions of mastery. Despite some aspects of the text being idealistic or anachronistic, much of what he predicted has come to pass. Although the average reader like myself may not be able to put Lippmann's ideas into direct action, his concepts still ought to help understand our responsibilities as citizens.