Designing a Polity: America's Constitution in Theory and PracticeIn Designing a Polity, James W. Ceaser, one of our leading scholars of American political development, argues for the continuing central role of the Founding within the study of American government. Drawing on essays published over the past 10 years, extensively updated and revised to reflect current politics, Ceaser engages the Founding Fathers, particularly James Madison, emphasizes Alexis de Tocqueville as a model of political inquiry, critiques current and recent theorists such as Richard Rorty and Jacques Derrida, and explores the varieties of contemporary conservative thought. Designing a Polity offers a rich exploration of the core values of political sciences that will be of special interest to scholars and students of American political development, Constitutional thought, and contemporary political thought. |
Contents
| 3 | |
Chapter 2 Political Foundations in Tocquevilles Democracy in America | 23 |
Chapter 3 American Political Foundations in the Thought of Leo Strauss | 45 |
PART II THE FOUNDERS CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN AND THE ROLE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE | 59 |
The American Founders and the Recovery of Political Science | 61 |
Chapter 5 Demagoguery Statesmanship and Presidential Politics | 75 |
Chapter 6 Doctrines of PresidentialCongressional Relations | 119 |
PART III MODERN CONSERVATISM | 139 |
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Designing a Polity: America's Constitution in Theory and Practice James W. Ceaser No preview available - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
Alexis de Tocqueville American political anti-Americanism appeals argued Aristotle Barack Obama campaign candidates century character claim classical communication conservatism conservative Constitution Customary History defending demagogue demagoguery Democracy in America Dewey doctrine of natural election electors Europe European executive power faith Federalist foundationalism Founders French Revolution Iackson idea Ieffersonian doctrine important influence institution intellectual Iohn leader leadership legacy managers legislative Leo Strauss liberal democracy liberty Lincoln love of fame Madison ment modern Montesquieu nation natural right neoconservatives nomination nonfoundationalists Obama original party’s political foundation political nonfoundationalism political philosophy political science popular position president presidential principles Progressive promote public opinion reason regime religion religious Republican Revolution rhetorical Richard Rorty Right and History role Ronald Reagan Rorty separation of powers served social society sought speech theoretical theory thinkers thinking tion Tocqueville Tocqueville’s tradition two—founding thesis University Press Whig York