The Other Founders: Anti-Federalism and the Dissenting Tradition in America, 1788-1828 (Published by the Omohundro Institute of Early American History ... and the University of North Carolina Press)

Fear of centralized authority is deeply rooted in American history. The struggle over the U.S. Constitution in 1788 pitted the Federalists, supporters of a stronger central government, against the Anti-Federalists, the champions of a more localist vision of politics. But, argues Saul Cornell, while the Federalists may have won the battle over ratification, it is the ideas of the Anti-Federalists that continue to define the soul of American politics. While no Anti-Federalist party emerged after ratification, Anti-Federalism continued to help define the limits of legitimate dissent within the American constitutional tradition for decades. Anti-Federalist ideas also exerted an important influence on Jeffersonianism and Jacksonianism. Exploring the full range of Anti-Federalist thought, Cornell illustrates its continuing relevance in the politics of the early Republic. A new look at the Anti-Federalists is particularly timely given the recent revival of interest in this once neglected group, notes Cornell. Now widely reprinted, Anti-Federalist writings are increasingly quoted by legal scholars and cited in Supreme Court decisions--clear proof that their authors are now counted among the ranks of America's founders. Fear of centralized authority is deeply rooted in American history. The struggle over the U.S. Constitution in 1788 pitted the Federalists, supporters of a stronger central government, against the Anti-Federalists, the champions of a more localist vision of politics. But, argues Saul Cornell, while the Federalists may have won the battle over ratification, it is the ideas of the Anti-Federalists that continue to define the soul of American politics.While no Anti-Federalist party emerged after ratification, Anti-Federalism continued to help define the limits of legitimate dissent within the American constitutional tradition for decades. Anti-Federalist ideas also exerted an important influence on Jeffersonianism and Jacksonianism. Exploring the full range of Anti-Federalist thought, Cornell illustrates its continuing relevance in the politics of the early Republic.A new look at the Anti-Federalists is particularly timely given the recent revival of interest in this once neglected group, notes Cornell. Now widely reprinted, Anti-Federalist writings are increasingly quoted by legal scholars and cited in Supreme Court decisions -- clear proof that their authors are now counted among the ranks of America's founders. Fear Of Centralized Authority Is Deeply Rooted In American History. The Struggle Over The U.s. Constitution In 1788 Pitted The Federalists, Supporters Of A Stronger Central Government, Against The Anti-federalists, The Champions Of A More Localist Vision Of Politics. But, Argues Saul Cornell, While The Federalists May Have Won The Battle Over Ratification, It Is The Ideas Of The Anti-federalists That Continue To Define The Soul Of American Politics.--jacket. Ratification And The Politics Of The Public Sphere -- Elite Anti-federalist Political And Constitutional Thought -- Popular Anti-federalist Political And Constitutional Thought -- Courts, Conventions, And Constitutionalism: The Politics Of The Public Sphere -- The Emergence Of A Loyal Opposition -- Anti-federalist Voices Within Democratic-republicanism -- The Limits Of Dissenting Constitutionalism -- The Founding Dialogue And The Politics Of Constitutional Interpretation -- Democratic-republican Constitutionalism And The Public Sphere -- The Dissenting Tradition, From The Revolution Of 1800 Until Nullification -- Anti-federalism And The American Political Tradition. By Saul Cornell. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Acknowledgments Contents List of Abbreviations and a Note on the Notes Introduction. The Other Founders Chapter 1. Ratification and the Politics of the Public Sphere Chapter 2. Elite Anti-Federalist Political and Constitutional Thought Chapter 3. Popular Anti-Federalist Political and Constitutional Thought Chapter 4. Courts, Conventions, and Constitutionalism: The Politics of the Public Sphere Chapter 5. The Emergence of a Loyal Opposition Chapter 6. Anti-Federalist Voices within Democratic-Republicanism Chapter 7. The Limits of Dissenting Constitutionalism Chapter 8. The Founding Dialogue and the Politics of Constitutional Interpretation Chapter 9. Democratic-Republican Constitutionalism and the Public Sphere Chapter 10. The Dissenting Tradition, from the Revolution of 1800 until Nullification Epilogue. Anti-Federalism and the American Political Tradition Appendix 1. Reprinting of Anti-Federalist Documents Appendix 2. Pamphlet, Broadside, and Periodical Republication of Anti-Federalist Documents Index "Fear of centralized authority is deeply rooted in American history. The struggle over the U.S. Constitution in 1788 pitted the Federalists, supporters of a stronger central government, against the Anti-Federalists, the champions of a more localist vision of politics. But, argues Saul Cornell, while the Federalists may have won the battle over ratification, it is the ideas of the Anti-Federalists that continue to define the soul of American politics."--BOOK JACKET. Reconsiders the role that Anti-Federalists played during the debate over ratification of the Constitution and traces their political legacy in the half-century that followed.