James Madison and the Spirit of Republican Self-Government

Sheehan argues that Madison's vision for the new nation was informed by the idea of republican self-government.

Colleen A. Sheehan (Author)

9780521898744, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 January 2009

226 pages, 10 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.5 kg

'Sheehan's insightful and incisive analysis of the thought of James Madison once again confirms for us his greatness as a political thinker and his importance as a proponent of popular republican government.' Gordon Wood, Brown University

In a study that combines an in-depth examination of Madison's National Gazette essays of 1791–2 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.

1. Republican opposition
2. The Federalist agenda
3. Madison and the French Enlightenment
4. The commerce of ideas
5. Madison and Jefferson: an appeal to the people
6. The spirit of republican government.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], History of the Americas [HBJK]