Arnold Brecht (1884-1977) was a political scientist and public servant exiled from Germany due to his political affiliation and support for reform. He joined the University in Exile faculty at the New School for Social Research in 1933, where he taught political science, law, and public service until he retired in 1954. These notebooks contain Brecht's lecture notes with shorthand and newspaper clippings used for courses given by Brecht.

Many lectures derive from his General Seminar at The New School and talks at Harvard University, World Affairs Club, Brooklyn College and other organizations, including one radio broadcast, "Economic Federalism on Trial," in 1936. Topics range from constitutional law, the history of the United States, Europe, government and politics, economics (particularly price-fixing and taxation law), civil service, and contemporary German politics. It includes seminars for civil service training at Harvard and the New School in 1937.