The Political Writings of John Adams
"The fundamental article of my political creed," declared John Adams, "is that despotism, or unlimited sovereignty, or absolute power is the same in a majority of a popular assembly, an aristocratical council, an oligarchical junto, and a single emperor. Equally arbitrary, cruel, bloody, and in every respect diabolical." The consequences of this article for Adams’ thought are nowhere better articulated than in this anthology, which presents his remarkable attempts at constructing a complete political system based on constitutional, balanced, representative government.
SKU
26307g
"The fundamental article of my political creed," declared John Adams, "is that despotism, or unlimited sovereignty, or absolute power is the same in a majority of a popular assembly, an aristocratical council, an oligarchical junto, and a single emperor. Equally arbitrary, cruel, bloody, and in every respect diabolical." The consequences of this article for Adams’ thought are nowhere better articulated than in this anthology, which presents his remarkable attempts at constructing a complete political system based on constitutional, balanced, representative government.
Contents:
Note on the Text; Introduction; Chronology; Selected Bibliography.
THE POLITICAL WRITINGS OF JOHN ADAMS:
A. Pre-Revolutionary Writings:
I. A Dissertation on the Canon and Feudal Law.
II. Instructions of the Town of Braintree to Their Representative.
III. Novanglus and Massachusettensis.
B. The Political System:
I. The Plan: -Thoughts on Government.
II. The Model: -The Constitution of Massachusetts of 1780.
III. The Defense:
- 1. A Defence of the Constitution of Government of the United States of America.
- 2. Three Letters to Roger Sherman on the Constitution of the United States.
- 3. Discourses on Davila.
- 4. Letters to John Taylor.
Appendix Notes.
Biographical Index.
About the Author:
George A. Peek, Jr. was Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Michigan.
