1 option
Quaker constitutionalism and the political thought of John Dickinson / Jane E. Calvert.
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Calvert, Jane E., 1970- author.
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Dickinson, John, 1732-1808--Political and social views.
- Dickinson, John.
- Quakers--Political activity--United States--History--18th century.
- Quakers.
- Constitutional history--United States.
- Constitutional history.
- Political science--United States--History--18th century.
- Political science.
- Legislators--United States--Biography.
- Legislators.
- Quakers--Pennsylvania--Biography.
- United States--Politics and government--1775-1783.
- United States.
- United States--Politics and government--1783-1809.
- Pennsylvania--Politics and government--1775-1865.
- Pennsylvania.
- Delaware--Politics and government--1775-1865.
- Delaware.
- Physical Description:
- 1 online resource (xiv, 382 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).
- Other Title:
- Quaker Constitutionalism & the Political Thought of John Dickinson
- Place of Publication:
- Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2009.
- Language Note:
- English
- Summary:
- In the late-seventeenth century, Quakers originated a unique strain of constitutionalism, based on their theology and ecclesiology, which emphasized constitutional perpetuity and radical change through popular peaceful protest. While Whigs could imagine no other means of drastic constitutional reform except revolution, Quakers denied this as a legitimate option to governmental abuse of authority and advocated instead civil disobedience. This theory of a perpetual yet amendable constitution and its concomitant idea of popular sovereignty are things that most scholars believe did not exist until the American Founding. The most notable advocate of this theory was Founding Father John Dickinson, champion of American rights, but not revolution. His thought and action have been misunderstood until now, when they are placed within the Quaker tradition. This theory of Quaker constitutionalism can be traced in a clear and direct line from early Quakers through Dickinson to Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Contents:
- Quaker constitutionalism in theory and practice, c.1652-1763
- Bureaucratic libertines : the origins of Quaker constitutionalism and civil dissent
- A sacred institution : the Quaker theory of a civil constitution
- "Dissenters in our own country" : constituting a Quaker government in Pennsylvania
- Civil unity and the "seeds of dissention" in the golden age of Quaker theocracy
- The fruits of Quaker dissent : political schism and the rise of John Dickinson
- The political Quakerism of John Dickinson, 1763-1789
- Turbulent but pacific : "Dickinsonian politics" in the American Revolution
- "The worthy against the licentious" : the critical period in Pennsylvania
- "The political rock of our salvation" : the U.S. Constitution according to John Dickinson
- Epilogue: The persistence of Quaker constitutionalism, 1789-1963.
- Notes:
- Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 335-363) and index.
- ISBN:
- 1-107-20034-2
- 1-281-98284-9
- 9786611982843
- 0-511-57542-4
- 0-511-46542-4
- 0-511-46314-6
- 0-511-46468-1
- 0-511-46235-2
- 0-511-46393-6
- OCLC:
- 476232251
The Penn Libraries is committed to describing library materials using current, accurate, and responsible language. If you discover outdated or inaccurate language, please fill out this feedback form to report it and suggest alternative language.