American Founding and the Social Compact

This study is thoroughly reseached, it engages critically with the existing literature, and it is convincingly argued. Political Studies Review This book magnificently succeeds in restoring the politics of natural right as an intelligible and persuasive alternative to the politics of historicism. Claremont Review Of Books Recommended. CHOICE This volume makes a massive contribution to our understanding of the founding by emphasizing the social compact political theory behind the founding. This allows the various and thoughtful authors to be guided by those special qualities that inhere in the social compact theory-the ideas of nature, equality, liberty, and consent-and to interpret its meaning; this is the often forgotten, yet necessary, condition that helps explain how our constitutional democracy can work so well. I heartily recommend this volume to all students of the founding. -- Peter W. Schramm, executive director & professor of political science, John M. Ashbrook Center for Public Executive Director & Professor