Partisan Republic: Democracy, Exclusion, and the Fall of the Founders' Constitution, 1780s-1830s

The Partisan Republic is the first book to provide a comprehensive account of constitutional change in the Founding era, focusing on the decline of the Founding generation's elitist vision and the rise of a more democratic vision. It incorporates recent scholarship on judicial review, popular constitutionalism, and the role of constitutional outsiders.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Partisan Republic is a groundbreaking work that provides a comprehensive and multifaceted account of constitutional change during the Founding era. It delves into both the top-down and bottom-up perspectives, offering a holistic understanding of the transformation that occurred during this critical period.

The book's central theme revolves around the decline of the Founding generation's elitist vision of the Constitution and the emergence of a more democratic vision that excluded women and non-whites. By incorporating recent scholarship on a wide range of topics, including judicial review, popular constitutionalism, and socio-legal contexts, the book places judicial initiatives such as Marbury vs. Madison within a broader societal framework.

One of the book's notable strengths is its recognition of the role of constitutional outsiders as agents of change. It highlights figures such as the Whiskey Rebels, Judith Sargent Murray, and James Forten, who were traditionally marginalized within the white, male elite of the time. These individuals played crucial roles in shaping the law and challenging the established constitutional order. The book expands the traditional narrative by including a diverse range of characters who contributed to the nation's constitutional development.

Furthermore, The Partisan Republic demonstrates how the democratic political party emerged as the pre-eminent constitutional institution in the United States. It explores the political and social factors that led to the Supreme Court's decline in power and the rise of the democratic party as a champion of constitutionalism. The book provides a detailed account of the debates and struggles that shaped the nation's constitutional framework, highlighting the contributions of both prominent figures and ordinary citizens.

In conclusion, The Partisan Republic is a seminal work that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on constitutional change during the Founding era. It combines a top-down and bottom-up approach, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors that shaped the nation's constitutional development. By recognizing the role of constitutional outsiders and exploring the rise of the democratic political party, the book expands our understanding of the complex and dynamic nature of the American constitutional system. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in American history, politics, and constitutional law.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 154 x 227 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107663893