The great contribution of West’s book is to bolster the argument that the founders are a formidable group, not only in their political prudence but also in their claim to genuine moral and political wisdom. Tom West’s new book The Political Theory of the American Founding is a very good book and a very ambitious […]
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Author Meets Critics: Thomas G. West’s The Political Theory of the American Founding
The parochialism implied by the title of West’s book and reflected in much of its content contrasts with the universality of the founders’ rhetoric and with the timelessly applicable ideas of natural rights and the natural law. The Political Theory of the American Founding is a remarkable, important, and impressive book. It is a decisive […]
The Founders on Race and the Rational Basis of Natural Law: Reply to Peter Myers
For the founders, the social compact is based on equal consent on both sides. Existing citizens should consent to new citizens, just as new citizens should consent before being admitted to citizenship. I thank Peter Myers for his generous assessment of my Political Theory of the American Founding – at least in the first half […]
The Election of 1940
While the war in Europe played a significant role in the parties’ nominations for the presidential election of 1940, it had a relatively small part, and less than is usually understood, in voting. The American presidential election of 1940 was both important and fascinating. Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first sitting president to run for […]
Congress in the Light of History
What should we expect of a separation-of-powers regime interlaced with tough checks and balances? What should we expect of a legislature representing a heterogeneous public that seems to be growing more heterogeneous, not to mention more fractious, all the time? To think about these matters, it may pay to reach for historical perspective. Grousing about […]