These audio recordings are of the second of a series of lectures given at The New School by former United States senator and Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of Political Science Eugene McCarthy on the subject of the future of liberalism in America.

In the first reel, McCarthy discusses the political views of America's founders, the Eisenhower-Stevenson presidential campaign of 1952, the dangers of using religion in politics, society's reliance on science and technology, civil rights, and the political and military escalation leading to the Vietnam War.

In the second reel, McCarthy discusses the balance in liberal policy priorities and programs such as the space program and programs to remedy poverty. At 9:13, McCarthy opens the floor to questions. Only McCarthy's answers are audible. The topics of McCarthy's responses include: the flexibility of liberal philosophies and migration into cities from the American south.

The third and final reel includes the remainder of the question and answer session. Only McCarthy's answers to the questions are audible, the topics of which include: the family assistance program, government spending, McCarthy's presidential campaign, the gold standard, the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Pentagon Papers, and the status of conscientious objectors to the Vietnam War.