Adam Seagrave’s review of my Political Theory of the American Founding contains both praise and criticism. I will respond here to four of his most important concerns. DID THE NATURAL RIGHTS THEORY OUTGROW THE FOUNDERS? I discuss this point first because it suggests that Seagrave and I perhaps disagree not only about the fate of […]

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 […]