The Great Debate: Advocates and Opponents of the American Constitution
by Thomas L. Pangle
The Great Courses: Philosophy and Intellectual History (4878), The Great Courses (4878)
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Description
Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Its authority and stature are routinely invoked by voices from every point on the political spectrum, with frequent references to the Founding Fathers and their true "intent." What really was their true intent? As these 12 surprising lectures show, many of those Founding Fathers - including Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry - were highly critical of the new Constitution and staunchly opposed it show more when it was first put forth for ratification by the states as a replacement for the Articles of Confederation. The debate over the Constitution raged for the better part of two years, and beneath its rhetorical flourishes lay not only the longest and most profound civic argument in our nation's history, but also a civics lesson that deserves to endure for all time. It was an argument that would result not only in the ratification of the Constitution, but also in what that Constitution would become. Professor Pangle takes you into this debate. You'll see which Founders opposed the new Constitution, which Founders led the battle for it, and how both sides helped define the result. In an era when contemporary arguments on the national stage so often mirror the same conflicts debated by the Founders, our own reenactment of that original debate can enrich our ability to be active and participating citizens. show lessTags
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This was entirely worth it, if a bit hard to follow. Every alternative that was disputed by the Federalists and anti-Federalists was probably realized in some state constitution. Florida's governor is part of an executive committee which are all separately elected. New Hampshire's house has a huge number of representatives representing extremely small constituencies. Etc.
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37+ Works 550 Members
Thomas L. Pangle is the Joe R. Long Chair in Democratic Studies in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author or editor of numerous books.
Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Great Debate: Advocates and Opponents of the American Constitution
Classifications
- Genres
- Politics and Government, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction, Philosophy
- DDC/MDS
- 342.73 — Society, government, & culture Law U.S. Constitution - Bill of Rights, Amendments North America Constitutional law--United States
- LCC
- E302.5 .P36 — History of the United States United States Revolution to the Civil War, 1775/1783-1861 Biography (Late eighteenth century)
Statistics
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- 79
- Popularity
- 401,332
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.86)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 6
