American Tyrannies in the Long Age of Napoleon

This book explores how Americans in the 19th century understood the perversions of tyranny in their polity and society, drawing on classical texts and Napoleon Bonaparte to define tyranny around the Atlantic world. It shows that tyranny is as American as democracy, with distinct American modes of tyranny such as the tyrannical style of the American imagination and the usurping potential of American individualism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The American Experiment: A Dual Pursuit of Democracy and Tyranny

This book delves into the profound question of whether the American experiment encompassed both democracy and tyranny. It explores the diverse ways in which Americans throughout the nineteenth century grappled with the perversions of tyranny that infiltrated their polity and society. While some drew upon classical texts to understand the dangers of tyranny, most relied on a more contemporary source: Napoleon Bonaparte, the iconic figure of the century and its most notorious tyrant.

Napoleon's definition of tyranny, rooted in the nineteenth-century Atlantic world, offered a framework for nineteenth-century Americans to examine the contours of tyranny and their role in its cruelties. By defining tyranny in terms of its features, emergence, relationship to democratic institutions, and effects on individuals and peoples, Napoleon helped Americans understand the multifaceted nature of tyranny in their own country.

At the same time, this book recognizes that there were distinctively American modes of tyranny. Elizabeth Duquette explores the tyrannical style of the American imagination, as well as the usurping potential of American individualism, demonstrating that tyranny is as American as democracy. Through her insightful analysis, the book sheds light on the complex interplay between these two forces and their impact on American society.

In conclusion, this book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the American experiment, challenging readers to consider the dual pursuit of democracy and tyranny that has shaped the nation's history. It provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of American politics, society, and the enduring struggle for freedom and justice.

Weight: 786g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192899880