The rise and fall of democracy in early America, 1630-1789

Description:

This is a work of political theory that treats the theme of direct democracy in America from the Puritans through the Federalists. It argues that the Puritans developed seeds for direct democracy in their conception of a Congregational church. Another chapter is about radical democratic action in eighteenth century America. The Antifederalists are portrayed as democrats because they embraced ordinary people in community. Contrary to the Tea Party, they saw the Constitution as a centralizing elitist blueprint for an anti-Democratic United States. The final chapter describes the Federalists as enemies of direct democracy. This chapter studies the rhetorical moves of Madison and Hamilton. They needed to convince the American people that the Constitution was republican--although it really wasn't.

subjects: Political Theory,  Early American Political Thought,  Puritans,  Anti-federalists,  Federalists,  Politics and government,  Political culture,  Democracy,  History,  Democracy, history,  United states, politics and government,  United states, politics and government, 1783-1809,  United states, politics and government, to 1775,  United states, politics and government, 1775-1783

People: John Winthrop,  Daniel Shays,  James Madison,  Alexander Hamilton

Places: United States

Times: 1630-1789