Sharpening the debate over the values that formed America's founding political philosophy; Barry Alan Shain challenges us to reconsider what early Americans meant when they used such basic political concepts as the public good; liberty; and slavery. We have too readily assumed; he argues; that eighteenth-century Americans understood these and other terms in an individualistic manner. However; by exploring how these core elements of their political thought were employed in Revolutionary-era sermons; public documents; newspaper editorials; and political pamphlets; Shain reveals a very different understanding--one based on a reformed Protestant communalism. In this context; individual liberty was the freedom to order one's life in accord with the demanding ethical standards found in Scripture and confirmed by reason. This was in keeping with Americans' widespread acceptance of original sin and the related assumption that a well-lived life was only possible in a tightly knit; intrusive community made up of families; congregations; and local government bodies. Shain concludes that Revolutionary-era Americans defended a Protestant communal vision of human flourishing that stands in stark opposition to contemporary liberal individualism. This overlooked component of the American political inheritance; he further suggests; demands examination because it alters the historical ground upon which contemporary political alternatives often seek legitimation; and it facilitates our understanding of much of American history and of the foundational language still used in authoritative political documents.
#2142205 in Books Princeton University Press 2003-01-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.43 x 6.28 x 9.56l; #File Name: 0691002274568 pages
Review
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A House DividedBy Patricia TrusselleThe book arrived in the time expected. i have not read the book yet.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Another look at the divided houseBy Barrie BrackenThis is one of those works where an editor must make decisions that will not please everyone. It took a coruption of conscience for me to give this work four stars. The book is over 480 text pages in not especially readable text. The indx is so inadequyate it could have been left out. Many items included are so abridged as to worthless; e.g.; the Missouri Compromise and the Wilmot Proviso cover one [page of the text. The author has included only the "relevant" porotions. If you are interested in the complete texts you are free to find it somewhere else.The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 covers pages 26 through 31 without pictures.The editor introduces the selections printed here. Sometimes the introductions take more space than the works themselves. The lecture of Slavery delivered by Ralph Waldo Emerson is abridged to 7 pages. Maybe our editor was trying to prove Emerson's addage about foolish consistency being the hobgoblin of little minds. I think I would prefer to read Emerson in toto rather edited by some smarter pen.We have Harriet Beecher Stowe introduced to us. Don't worry; Uncle Tom's Cabin is not included; only the editor's thoughts on Stowe. And we have a nice Currier Ives print to accompany this.Chapter 11 deals with "Science in Antebellum America" and the first 22 pages are the editor's introduction. Two and one half pages are frivilously squandered on Jefferson's "Notes on the State of Virginia"--actually the words of Jefferson. Six pages of Fowler's "Hereditary Descent are offered. Theodore Parker is awarded one page in this chapter. In Chapter 8 David Walker's Appeal is reduced to 6 pages. The work concludes with a very brief section from Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America (7 pages).This is not a terrible book; but it should be seen for what it is--an anthology of sorts. For myself; I regret having spent so much on a book that offers so little. I have many of these books in my library; so I can browse them and pick out what I want to read for myself. This is a great book for those who have little knowledge of the subject; limited access to books; want an introduction with some source material; etc. For this reason I give it 4 stars. If you want a book that delves deeply into the thoughts of the Antebellum American world; skip this. If what you need is a convenient one book source; this is fine.
