Table of Contents

Introduction: The National Idea in American Politics A. The Promise of Nationhood B. The Trial of Sectionalism C. The Impact of Industrialism D. The Challenge of Racism E. Federalism and Political Theory PART 1:FROM HIERARCHY TO REPUBLICANISM 1. The Rule of the Wise and the Holy: Thomas Aquinas A. The Ontology of Inequality B. Value, Utility, and Authority C. Hierarchies of Virtue and Grace D. Federalism from the Top Down E. The Enchanted World F. Deference to the Divine Likeness G. Old Tory Politics 2. The Idea of the National Republic: John Milton A. The Masterless Man B. Government by Discussion C. Elite and People D. Nation and Purpose 3. A Constitution for the National Republic: James Harrington A. The Dilemma of Scale: Machiavelli B. Constitutionalism and the Public Interest C. Representation from the Bottom Up D. The Machinery of Rational Deliberation E. Federalism for Utility or for Liberty? F. A Commonwealth for Increase PART 2:THE NATIONAL AND REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION 4. The Conflict of Ideas A. Edmund Burke and the Old Whig Constitution B. Blackstone and Sovereignty C. Benjamin Franklin and National Purpose 5. The Decade of Agitation A. Actual vs. Virtual Representation B. The Parliamentary Option C. The Federal Option D. Imperial Federalism E. Liberty vs. Union 6. The Discovery of the Nation A. How the Congress Was Chosen B. How the Congress Governed C. How the States Were Created D. Tom Paine's National and Federal Republic PART 3:THE NATIONAL AND REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION 7. Montesquieu's Confederate Republic A. The Structure B. The Mechanics C. The Confederate Republic in America D. The Anti-Federalist Case 8. Madison's Compound Republic A. Critique of Compact Federalism B. The New Legitimacy C. Critique of the Small Republic Theory D. Justice and the Public Interest E. Government by Discussion: Hume F. Government by Discussion: Madison G. Toward Power and justice 9. Auxiliary Precautions A. Representation B. Separation of Powers C. Why Have States? D. The People as Common Superior E. The Control of Faction 10. Sovereignty and Ratification A. How the Constitution Was Ordained B. Madison's Gap C. The National Solution D. Joseph Story's Classic Exposition E. Critique of Article VII F. Sovereignty, the Constitution, and Democracy 11. James Wilson's Social Union A. Purpose, Medieval and Modern B. The Four Great Objects C. The Fragility of Reason E. Participation and Public Affection F. The Social Passion G. Public Affection and Federalism Conclusion: Liberty and Union A. Strong Democracy B. Constitutionalism for Self-Government C. Federalism and Liberty D. Radicalism and Prudence Notes References Index

Promotional Information

This is Beer's magnum opus, the work which draws together his incomparable knowledge, gained over sixty years of study, of American and British political theory and historical practice. -- Patrick Riley, University of Wisconsin

About the Author

Samuel H. Beer was the Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr., Professor of American Politics at Boston College.

Reviews

A vigorous account of the American founders.
*New Republic*

[An] engaging account of the origins of federalism… Beer’s impressive study demonstrates how much received wisdom about politics was called into question by those who supported the ratification of the Constitution… At a moment when the public conversation is sometimes more acrimonious than enlightened, Beer provides a needed reminder that our unique promise as a people lies in the hope that we might find ways to use our remarkable diversity to make our nation ‘more of a nation.’
*Boston Globe*

The extraordinary intellectual breadth and analytical depth of Sam Beer’s academic work fully warrants his standing as one of America’s most distinguished political scientists. In To Make a Nation, he further enhances his scholarly reputation… [This work is] not only enlightening but powerfully suggestive of the capacity of the American political order for regeneration and renewal. America remains a nation in creation and an aspirant idea. Beer shows us why.
*International Affairs*

Samuel H. Beer is a very distinguished political scientist, whose most important earlier work centered on British politics. Here he turns to the study of American origins, with a particular eye to the subject announced in this subtitle, American Federalism… This effort leads him on a wide-ranging foray into intellectual history, tracing the theory of deferential politics through Thomas Aquinas, the old Tories in England, and the British rulers of America in the eighteenth century… Beer’s book is too good and too rich to capture in a brief review, and it needs to be read by all interested in the wide range of topics on which it touches.
*Journal of American History*

In a brilliant exploration of history, starting with Thomas Aquinas and continuing through the Framers’ views, Beer seeks to demonstrate that federalism need not be viewed solely as a conservative or regressive concept… Beer has made a major contribution to the literature on the subject… If one reads his book looking to gain a better understanding of the origins of American federalism, the book is a tremendous success. It is clearly written, impeccably documented, and extremely persuasive. Moreover, if one wants to refute conservatives’ claims that the origins of the doctrine justify their view of federalism, Beer’s book is invaluable… [A] masterful new book.
*Michigan Law Review*

A powerful and persuasive exposition…[and] a brilliant statement in support of the national idea in American federalism.
*New England Quarterly*

Beer’s central concern is to refute the idea that the Union was a creation of the states. Rather, he demonstrates, the creation of the Union preceded the establishment of the individual states. This is an issue which has always been contentious and remains so. The case being made here is argued with vigour and with great learning. This book is the product of a long life studying the subject… It is a splendid contribution to the debate about the origins of American federalism.
*Regional and Federal Studies*

This is Beer’s magnum opus, the work which draws together his incomparable knowledge, gained over sixty years of study, of American and British political theory and historical practice.