In his article, “the ‘Decline’ of Public Intellectuals?”, Stephen Mack notes that many members of the American intelligentsia worry that intellectuals have lost their standing in American culture. Mack observes that many of the intelligentsia think of intellectuals as a class in decline. However, Mack argues that intellectuals are not important as a class; rather, they are important for the work that they do. That work is to generate criticism that may lead to improvements in our society. Intellectualism is a process that does not belong to a limited class of people. In a democracy, it should be encouraged in the citizenry as a whole. An example of a public intellectual who fits this mold is the late Sargent Shriver. In his work on the behalf of the Peace Corps, the War on Poverty, and various other campaigns, Shriver brought his cultural insights to the masses to improve the American society.
Shriver’s first public role was as the head of the newly founded Peace Corps under President Kennedy. He was appointed as leader in 1961 and charged with the task of developing an organization that would allow young Americans to volunteer to be sent through out the world to assist in development to those in need, as well as serve as ambassadors of the United States. While there was early skepticism, Shriver won over doubters with his passion and eloquence. In describing the mission of the Peace Corps, Shriver stated,
Be servants of peace. Work humbly, persistently and intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful. Care for those who are sick. Serve your neighbors. Serve your towns. Serve the poor. That is your challenge.
Shriver recognized that the key to promoting peace and good relations through out the world was to serve the interests of other countries. Shriver further recognized that in order for this idea to take root, he would have to promote it publically. His ability to inspire young people through out America helped develop the Peace Corps into an enduring program which has helped millions of people through out the world and has helped to put on display the best qualities of Americans.
After heading the Peace Corps, Shriver next helped to lead Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. Again, this campaign drew from an intellectual movement. Johnson, Shriver, and others recognized that poverty was a social evil that needed to be addressed directly. Shriver recognized that poverty was a symptom of imbalances within our society as a whole and not just a reflection of the problems within poor communities. Therefore, Shriver helped lead a multi-pronged campaign to address such issues as access to education, job training, and affordable housing. As Shriver stated to the National Bar Association in 1966,
If the War on Poverty means anything, it is a statement that we must look – not just to the poor—but to the whole cloth too—and even to the loom. The whole fabric of our society must be rewoven—and the patterns we must weave are patterns of justice, opportunity, dignity, and mutual respect.
Shriver’s involvement in the war on poverty helped lead to the establishment of many successful programs such as Head Start, Job Corps, VISTA, Legal services for the Poor and much more. It was Shriver’s ability to inspire others that allowed his ideas to spread and transform the country.
Sargent Shriver serves as a model for the role that public intellectuals can play in our society. Shriver was an intellectual that who did not remain in an ivory tower. Shriver believed that his insights should be put into action and shared with the larger society to have the greatest effect possible. Shriver fits into Mack’s idea of a public intellectual according to his article. Far from being an intellectual snob, Shriver believed in bringing his messages to the masses to make America the best place it could be.
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