The Political Theory of the American Founding: Natural Rights, Public Policy, and the Moral Conditions of Freedom

ISBN-13: 9781107140486 / Angielski / Twarda / 2017 / 428 str.

Thomas G. West

Opis

This book provides a complete overview of the Founders' natural rights theory and its policy implications.

Recenzje

'By reintroducing the moral underpinnings of the founders' natural rights republic, Thomas G. West has made an extraordinary contribution to our understanding of American political thought. He shows that the founders' republicanism is a part of their liberalism; that duties and rights, properly understood, are not at odds. In doing so, The Political Theory of the American Founding not only helps us better understand America's principles, it explains why we ought to cherish them and fight to restore them to their rightful place in our political life.' Vincent Phillip Muñoz, University of Notre Dame

Spis treści

Introduction; Part I. The Political Theory of the Founding: An Overview: 1. Equality, natural rights, and the laws of nature; 2. The case against the natural rights founding; 3. Equality and natural rights misunderstood; 4. The founder's arguments for equality, natural rights, and natural law; 5. The state of nature; 6. The social compact and consent of the governed; 7. Natural rights and public policy; Part II. The Moral Conditions of Freedom: 8. Why government should support morality; 9. How government supports morality; 10. Sex and marriage in political theory and policy; 11. Cultivating public support for liberty and virtue; 12. What virtues should government promote?; 13. The founder's virtues: questions and clarifications; Part III. Property and Economics: 14. The founder's understanding of property rights; 15. Private ownership; 16. Free markets; 17. Sound money; 18. The Hamilton–Jefferson quarrel; Conclusion. Justice, nobility, and the politics of natural rights; Index.