Lehrman American Studies Center

Introduction

Political thought takes place on three different levels. First, there is the most common kind of political thinking, which is, of course, thought and argument in the service of the practice of politics, and which is exemplified by statesmen and other political leaders. Second, there is the somewhat more ambiguous activity of formulating doctrines, which is manifested in the production of abstract principles or political blueprints. Finally, there is the investigation and elucidation of the presuppositions of political activity, which results in a philosophical explanation of the character of politics and practice.

In this course, we will examine the history of American political thought as an exemplification of the first two levels of political thought. American political thinkers, while not completely indifferent to the long tradition of political philosophy, have responded primarily to the pressure of events by producing practical arguments and general doctrines to support particular political programs, rather than by producing more philosophical accounts of the nature of political activity. This is to be expected given that most of the writers which we shall read were active participants in the political events of their time.

In this course, we shall be primarily concerned with two historical questions. First, what did the various authors we shall be reading believe to be the character of the American state? Was it generally believed that the Founders were creating an ideological political community defined by its commitment to a single purpose? Or were the Founders defenders of a conception of political community which understood that community as an historical achievement of those who chance, circumstance, and shared practices brought together? And, second, what did these authors believe to be the functions of the American government? Was the national government to be the manager of a grand enterprise or was it to be the custodian of the generally accepted practices of the political community?

These two questions in various guises animated much of the discussion about independence from Britain, about the ratification of the American Constitution, and about the proper definition of federalism. An understanding of the various answers to these questions offered by political actors in early America makes not only these antebellum debates more comprehensible, but also makes intelligible the continued importance of sectionalism, the disputes between agrarianism and commercialism, and the great of variety of other postbellum debates about federalism and the centralization of power, about the character of the separation of powers, and about the role of the United States in the world.

Required and optional texts

• American Political Thought: A Reader, edited by Kenneth Dolbeare
• The Anti-Federalist Papers and the Constitutional Convention Debates, edited by Ralph Ketchum
• The Federalist Papers, edited by Clinton Rossiter, Introduction and Notes by Charles Kesler
• Selected Writings by Thomas Jefferson
• Union and Liberty: The Political Philosophy of John C. Calhoun by John C. Calhoun, Ross M. Lence (Editor)
• Selected Speeches and Writings by Abraham Lincoln, (Library of America series)
• States' Rights and the Union: Imperium in Imperio, 1776-1876 by Forrest McDonald

Assignments

My attendance policy conforms to that of the university. All members of the class are expected to attend all sessions of the class, and to have completed the assigned readings during the week on which they are listed. Attendance is important because it is closely correlated with academic success. Having the readings done ahead of time is the only way you will be able to participate usefully in the class discussions that will occur regularly. Attendance and participation will be used only to benefit a student’s grade. There will be a midterm and a take-home final exam. There will also be two presentations due during the semester. These presentations will include the composition of two 3-5 page papers and the presentation of the papers to the class. I will provide more detailed instructions about the presentations during class.

The course requirements will contribute to the overall course grade in the following proportions:

• Midterm: 20%
• Presentations: 40%
• Final: 40%

Plagiarism or unauthorized collaboration will not be tolerated, and will be reported to the appropriate honor board. Passing the course requires submission of all assignments.

Course Schedule

Week 1

Introduction

• Dolbeare: Franklin—‘Short Hints towards a Scheme for Uniting the Northern Colonies’, and ‘The Albany Plan of Union’, 30-33;
• James Caeser, ‘Foundational Concepts in American Political Development’ in Nature and History in American Political Development (handout)

Week 2

A Revolution or a War of Secession/Independence

• The Declaration of Independence’;
• Articles of Confederation;
• Paine—‘Common Sense’, ‘The American Crisis I’, 39-46;
• McDonald, 1-6

Weeks 3-7: Ratifying the Constitution: What is the character of the ‘new’ Government?

(First papers/presentations)

Weeks 3, 4

The need for a new government

• The Federalist Papers; McDonald—7-70

Weeks 5, 6

The defense of the status quo

• The Anti-Federalist Papers; McDonald—7-70

Week 7

The first division

• Jefferson--‘The Kentucky Resolutions’;
• Dolbeare: Hamilton—‘Report on Credit’, ‘Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Bank’, and ‘Report on Manufactures’, 135-147;
• Jefferson—‘Madison’s Report to the Virginia General Assembly, 150-156;
• McDonald—7-70

Midterm Exam

Weeks 8-10: The Argument Continued: States’ Rights

(Presentations)

Week 8

The Theory of States’ Rights

• Calhoun—‘A Disquisition on Government’ in Union and Liberty;
• McDonald—71-163

Week 9, 10

States’ Rights and American History

• Calhoun—‘A Discourse on the Constitution and Government of the United States’ in Union and Liberty;
• McDonald—71-163;

Weeks 11-13: The Argument Concluded?: Unionism Triumphant

(Presentations)

Weeks 11,12

Slavery and Sovereignty

• Lincoln--Selected Speeches, pp. 13-22, 93-98, 117-121, 131-139, 149-198, 240-252, 277-283;
• McDonald—165-233

Week 13

The Civil War or the War Between the States?

• Lincoln--Selected Speeches, pp.284-292, 300-315, 335-342, 344-348, 356-364, 405-413, 440-444, 449-458;
• McDonald—165-233

Final Exam