The Federalist's Vision of Popular Sovereignty in the New American Republic
Author | : Kathleen O. Potter |
Publisher | : LFB Scholarly Publishing |
Total Pages | : 226 |
Release | : 2002 |
ISBN-10 | : STANFORD:36105111787805 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (05 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: In reconstructing the theory of The Federalist Papers, Potter shows how its authors present the Constitution as a social compact that embraces a stronger version of popular sovereignty than that expressed in the consent theories of Hobbes or Locke. The Federalist: (1) recognizes complexity in the first stage of the compact that requires more from the people than mere consent; (2) introduces a formal constitution and procedure for obtaining popular consent into the second stage; (3) extends the compact beyond the founding moment by including a formal amendment procedure and provisions for "wholly popular" government; and (4) addresses the responsibilities of the people and, therefore, the requirement for virtue.