John Quincy Adams and the Public Virtues of DiplomacyAlthough John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) was one of nineteenth-century America's most accomplished diplomats and statesmen, very little has been written on his diplomatic philosophy. This thought-provoking new study by Greg Russell brings together for the first time an investigation of Adams's literary, philosophical, and political careers. Studying Adams's statesmanship as an expression of distinct intellectual and diplomatic traditions, Russell offers a thorough review of Adams's grounding in classical and Christian traditions and demonstrates the role those traditions played in his understanding of American constitutionalism, statesmanship, and citizenship. Throughout his life Adams was drawn inexorably to the intersection of ethics and statesmanship. His defense of international law was inseparable from his Christian faith, with its emphasis on the pursuit of justice and established mutualities in the relations of nations. In his judgment, national self-restraint was crucial to national success and survival, and America's success in the world would be dependent upon the nation's own moral and spiritual stamina in self-government. Adams strengthened this connection through numerous orations and writings on the conflicting vitalities of human nature, the meaning of history, and the nature of virtue and happiness in politics and government. Russell concludes his unique study by addressing the issues that confront a democratic society today. Arguing that recent ideological and political upheavals world-wide challenge anew the national purpose and security of the United States, Russell maintains that Adams's career offers a remarkable example for today's world. Historians, political theorists, theologians, and foreign-policy commentators will find this book invaluable. |
Contents
Revolutionary Politics and Training for Statesmanship | 9 |
Ethics Philosophy and Religion in Adamss Worldview | 66 |
Adamss Realism and the Role of Domestic Ideals | 114 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
Abigail Adams action Adams believed Adams's affairs Alexander Hamilton American Foreign Policy American Nationhood Aristotle authority Bemis Britain British character Christian Cicero citizens civil claim colonies Congress Constitution Declaration defend democracy democratic diplomatic doctrine Domestic Ideals duty England equally Ethics of Power Europe European example faith father Federalist France freedom French French Revolution Genêt happiness Holy Alliance human nature Ibid independence individual Jefferson John Adams John Quincy Adams JQA to John justice law of nature liberty Madison mankind Memoirs ment mind minister monarchy Monroe Monroe Doctrine Montesquieu moral Morgenthau national interest natural rights neutrality object obligation Paine's party passions peace Philosophy President principles Public Virtues Publicola Quincy Oration Realism and Domestic reason religion religious republic republican Revolution Revolutionary Politics secretary slavery social compact society sovereign sovereignty Spain spirit Statecraft statesman Thomas Boylston Adams Thucydides tion transcendent treaty union United universal Virtues of Diplomacy Washington Writings