Nature and history in American political development : a debate / James W. Ceaser ; with responses by Jack N. Rakove, Nancy L. Rosenblum, Rogers M. Smith.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ceaser, James W.

Contributor:

Rakove, Jack N., 1947-

Rosenblum, Nancy L. (Nancy Lipton), 1947-

Smith, Rogers M., 1953-

Series:

Alexis de Tocqueville lectures on American politics.

The Alexis de Tocqueville lectures on American politics

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political science--United States--History.

Political science.

Foundationalism (Theory of knowledge).

Ideology.

United States--Politics and government.

United States.

Physical Description:

viii, 229 p.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2006.

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

In this inaugural volume of the Alexis de Tocqueville Lectures, James Ceaser traces the way certain "foundational" ideas-including nature, history, and religion-have been understood and used over the course of American history. Ceaser treats these ideas as elements of political discourse that provide the ground for other political ideas, such as liberty or equality. Three critical commentators challenge Ceaser's arguments, and a spirited debate about large and enduring questions in American politics ensues.

Contents:

Foundational concepts and American political development / James W. Ceaser

Can we know a foundational idea when we see one? / Jack N. Rakove

Replacing foundations with staging: "second-story" concepts and American political development / Nancy L. Rosenblum

What if God was one of us? The challenges of studying foundational political concepts / Rogers M. Smith

Foundational concepts reconsidered / James W. Ceaser.

Notes:

First Harvard University Press paperback edition, 2008.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 199-221) and index.

ISBN:

9780674029309

0674029305

OCLC:

1032693100