The Federalist's Vision of Popular Sovereignty in the New American RepublicIn reconstructing the theory of The Federalist Papers, Potter shows how its authors present the Constitution as a social compact that embraces a stronger version of popular sovereignty than that expressed in the consent theories of Hobbes or Locke. The Federalist: (1) recognizes complexity in the first stage of the compact that requires more from the people than mere consent; (2) introduces a formal constitution and procedure for obtaining popular consent into the second stage; (3) extends the compact beyond the founding moment by including a formal amendment procedure and provisions for "wholly popular" government; and (4) addresses the responsibilities of the people and, therefore, the requirement for virtue. |
Contents
Popular Sovereignty | 15 |
Becoming A People | 29 |
A Popular Founding | 41 |
A Continuing Compact | 61 |
A Role for Future Generations | 89 |
In Support of the Continuing Compact | 109 |
Virtue in the American Republic | 139 |
Implications | 157 |
Notes | 175 |
Bibliography | 195 |
Index | 201 |
Copyright | |