Gabriel Almond

The Soviet Union had in Marxism a theoretical basis for society that commanded widespread approval and respect in the mid 20th century, not only within the communist bloc, but also within large sections of the left in the West.

In contrast, the West was characterised by what political scientist Gabriel Almond called the absence of a coherent theory of society and politics, which created ideological confusion.

Ullman called upon the social sciences to foster a democratic ideological consensus to overcome this problem and enhance elite discipline.

In effect, he was calling for the creation of a creed that could unify American elites in the same way that communist elites could rally around Leninism.