James Madison and the Spirit of Republican Self-Government
By Colleen A. Sheehan [Learn more at Amazon.com]
From the Publisher
In the first study that combines an in-depth examination of Madison’s National Gazette essays of 1791-92 with a study of The Federalist, Colleen Sheehan traces the evolution of Madison’s conception of the politics of communication and public opinion throughout the Founding period, demonstrating how “the sovereign public” would form and rule in America. Contrary to those scholars who claim that Madison dispensed with the need to form an active and virtuous citizenry, Sheehan argues that Madison’s vision for the new nation was informed by the idea of republican self-government, whose manifestation he sought to bring about in the spirit and way of life of the American people. Madison’s story is “the story of an idea” – the idea of America.
About the Author
Colleen A. Sheehan is Associate Professor of Political Science at Villanova University and has served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She is the co-editor of Friends of the Constitution: Writings of the Other Federalists 1787-1788 and author of numerous articles on the American Founding and eighteenth-century political and moral thought; these have appeared in journals such the William and Mary Quarterly, American Political Science Review, Review of Politics, and Persuasions: The Jane Austen Journal.
James Madison was one of our Founding Fathers, as well as primary author our Constitution. He was a brilliant man and helped establish the constitutional bedrock upon which our country sits. I’ve not read this particular book, but any legitimate book on his life and beliefs should be a must read for every American. Here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madison
But James Madison nor the other Founding Fathers were gods or profits. The were men, great men, living in their time. They established the foundation for the greatest nation on Earth. But let’s not forget that like all men, they were not perfect. Despite the declaration that “all men are created equal” the original Constitution allowed slavery and gave no rights to women.
So when I hear TPs say “get back to the Constitution” I hope they realize that in some ways, times have changed. I for one don’t want to go back to slavery or the virtual slavery of women.