To make a nation : the rediscovery of American federalism
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
To make a nation : the rediscovery of American federalism
Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1994, c1993
- : pbk
Available at / 14 libraries
-
No Libraries matched.
- Remove all filters.
Note
Includes bibliography (p. 443-457) and index
"First Harvard University Press paperback edition, 1994"--T.p. verso
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Lyndon Johnson heralded a "new federalism," as did Ronald Reagan. It was left to the public to puzzle out what such a proclamation, coming from both ends of the political spectrum, could possibly mean. Of one thing we can be certain: theories of federalism, in whatever form they take, are still shaping our nation. The origin of these theories-what they meant to history and how they apply today-becomes clear in this book by one of our most distinguished writers on political thought.
The great English republicans of the seventeenth century appear in this story along with their American descendants, who took the European idea of a federal republic and recast it as new and unique. Samuel Beer's extraordinary knowledge of European political thought, displayed especially in discussions of Thomas Aquinas and James Harrington, allows him to show at every turn the historical precedents and the originality of American federalism in theory and practice. In deft comparisons with Hume, Burke, Blackstone, and Montesquieu, the familiar figures of Madison and Hamilton emerge with new substance and depth, while some who would seem fully known by now, such as Ben Franklin, reveal unsuspected dimensions, and others, such as James Wilson, are lifted from obscurity.
Beer uses this history to highlight the contrast between the nation-centered federalism of the framers of the Constitution and the state-centered federalism of its opponents. His concern is not only with historical origins but, more important, with a conflict of ideas which reaches far into our history and continues on to this day. The result is the clearest articulation ever given of the provenance and purpose of the ideas of nationalism and federalism in American political philosophy. A masterpiece of historical and political analysis, this book provides an innovative interpretive framework for understanding democracy and the American Constitution.
Table of Contents
Introduction: The National Idea in American Politics A. The Promise of Nationhood B. The Trial of Sectionalism C. The Impact of Industrialism D. The Challenge of Racism E. Federalism and Political Theory PART 1:FROM HIERARCHY TO REPUBLICANISM 1. The Rule of the Wise and the Holy: Thomas Aquinas A. The Ontology of Inequality B. Value, Utility, and Authority C. Hierarchies of Virtue and Grace D. Federalism from the Top Down E. The Enchanted World F. Deference to the Divine Likeness G. Old Tory Politics 2. The Idea of the National Republic: John Milton A. The Masterless Man B. Government by Discussion C. Elite and People D. Nation and Purpose 3. A Constitution for the National Republic: James Harrington A. The Dilemma of Scale: Machiavelli B. Constitutionalism and the Public Interest C. Representation from the Bottom Up D. The Machinery of Rational Deliberation E. Federalism for Utility or for Liberty? F. A Commonwealth for Increase PART 2:THE NATIONAL AND REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION 4. The Conflict of Ideas A. Edmund Burke and the Old Whig Constitution B. Blackstone and Sovereignty C. Benjamin Franklin and National Purpose 5. The Decade of Agitation A. Actual vs. Virtual Representation B. The Parliamentary Option C. The Federal Option D. Imperial Federalism E. Liberty vs. Union 6. The Discovery of the Nation A. How the Congress Was Chosen B. How the Congress Governed C. How the States Were Created D. Tom Paine's National and Federal Republic PART 3:THE NATIONAL AND REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION 7. Montesquieu's Confederate Republic A. The Structure B. The Mechanics C. The Confederate Republic in America D. The Anti-Federalist Case 8. Madison's Compound Republic A. Critique of Compact Federalism B. The New Legitimacy C. Critique of the Small Republic Theory D. Justice and the Public Interest E. Government by Discussion: Hume F. Government by Discussion: Madison G. Toward Power and justice 9. Auxiliary Precautions A. Representation B. Separation of Powers C. Why Have States? D. The People as Common Superior E. The Control of Faction 10. Sovereignty and Ratification A. How the Constitution Was Ordained B. Madison's Gap C. The National Solution D. Joseph Story's Classic Exposition E. Critique of Article VII F. Sovereignty, the Constitution, and Democracy 11. James Wilson's Social Union A. Purpose, Medieval and Modern B. The Four Great Objects C. The Fragility of Reason E. Participation and Public Affection F. The Social Passion G. Public Affection and Federalism Conclusion: Liberty and Union A. Strong Democracy B. Constitutionalism for Self-Government C. Federalism and Liberty D. Radicalism and Prudence Notes References Index
by "Nielsen BookData"
