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Cover image of The Political Philosophy of James Madison
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The Political Philosophy of James Madison

Garrett Ward Sheldon

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Among the founders, James Madison wielded the greatest influence in drafting the Constitution of 1789. In this book, Garrett Ward Sheldon offers a concise synthesis of Madison's political philosophy in the context of the social and political history of his day.

Tracing the history of Madison's thought to his early education in Protestant theology, Sheldon argues that it was a fear of the potential "tyranny of the majority" over individual rights, along with a firmly Calvinist suspicion of the motives of sinful men, that led him to support a constitution creating a strong central government with...

Among the founders, James Madison wielded the greatest influence in drafting the Constitution of 1789. In this book, Garrett Ward Sheldon offers a concise synthesis of Madison's political philosophy in the context of the social and political history of his day.

Tracing the history of Madison's thought to his early education in Protestant theology, Sheldon argues that it was a fear of the potential "tyranny of the majority" over individual rights, along with a firmly Calvinist suspicion of the motives of sinful men, that led him to support a constitution creating a strong central government with power over state laws. In this way, Madison aimed to protect individual liberties and provide checks to "spiteful" human interests and selfish parochial prejudices. Among the topics Sheldon covers are Madison's Princeton education, his contributions to the Federalist Papers, his arguments in defense of states' rights on behalf of Virginia, his views on federal power during his terms as secretary of state and president, and, in his later years, his defense of the Union against those Southerners who advocated nullification.

Reviews

Reviews

This book provides a clear, sympathetic summary of the intellectual origins of much of the constitutional structure that continues to frame American political life.

[Sheldon] does an excellent job of synthesizing and reconciling recent scholarship on Madison.

A much needed crisp and comprehensive overview of the political theorizing that emerges from the whole of Madison's long and complex intellectual and civic life. This book will complement Sheldon's similarly useful introduction to the entire thoughtful life of Jefferson.

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Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
5.5
x
8.5
Pages
160
ISBN
9780801871061
Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
Liberalism, Classical Republicanism, and Christianity in the Political Philosophy of James Madison
1. Intellectual Heritage: Politics, Philosophy, and Theology
2. Politics and

Preface
Introduction
Liberalism, Classical Republicanism, and Christianity in the Political Philosophy of James Madison
1. Intellectual Heritage: Politics, Philosophy, and Theology
2. Politics and Religion
3. Federalist Nationalism
4. Lockean Liberalism Realized: Construction and Ratification of the U.S. Constitution
5. Classical Republicanism: The States' Rights of the Virginia Resolutions
6. Nationalism Revisted
7. Last Testaments
Appendix A: Extract from "The Report on the [Virginia] Resolutions"
Appendix B: Last Testament: "Advice to My County"
Notes
Index

Author Bio
Garrett Ward Sheldon
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Garrett Ward Sheldon

Garrett Ward Sheldon is the John Morton Beaty Professor of Political and Social Sciences at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. He is the author of The Political Philosophy of Thomas Jefferson, also available from Johns Hopkins.