In the first study that combines an in-depth examination of Madison s National Gazette essays of 1791 92 with a study of The Federalist, Colleen Sheehan traces the evolution of Madison s conception of the politics of communication and public opinion throughout the Founding period, demonstrating how the sovereign public would form and rule in America. Contrary to those scholars who claim that Madison dispensed with the need to form an active and virtuous citizenry, Sheehan argues that Madison s vision for the new nation was informed by the idea of republican self-government, whose...

In the first study that combines an in-depth examination of Madison s National Gazette essays of 1791 92 with a study of The Federalist, Colleen Sheehan traces the evolution of Madison s conception of the politics of communication and public opinion throughout the Founding period, demonstrating how the sovereign public would form and rule in America. Contrary to those scholars who claim that Madison dispensed with the need to form an active and virtuous citizenry, Sheehan argues that Madison s vision for the new nation was informed by the idea of republican self-government, whose...

This book provides a compelling and incisive portrait of James Madison the scholar and political philosopher. Through extensive historical research and analysis of Madison's heretofore underappreciated 1791 "Notes on Government," Madison's scholarly contributions are cast in a new light, yielding a richer, more comprehensive understanding of his political thought than ever before. Tracing Madison's intellectual investigations of republics and philosophers, both ancient and modern, this book invites the reader to understand the pioneering ideas of the greatest American scholar of politics and...

This book provides a compelling and incisive portrait of James Madison, the scholar and political philosopher.