Quentin P. Taylor

Taylor observes that seldom is Publius studied alongside other classical political theorists such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau -- perhaps because Publius is not one person, perhaps because The Federalist Papers don't follow a typical format for a theoretical work. (Is there such a thing?) It's a good point, and though there are challenges to presenting Publius's theory alongside others in an introductory course, they wouldn't be insurmountable.

Taylor's book is meant to assist such an effort: he provides a brief biography of Jay, Hamilton, and Madison (alongside a quick note that despite their differences, they wrote with a consistent voice for The Federalist); and, he provides a short essay on the methodology and the Enlightenment context.

The result is suitable not only for a class, but to review the fundamental structure and dynamics of the U.S. federal system. I read a chapter per sitting: it reads swiftly without sacrificing substance.

Each thematic chapter begins with a brief statement from Taylor on the main points covered, including a reference to historical context when necessary. There are essentially no other editorial notes in the chapter from Taylor. The bulk of each chapter is supplied by excerpts (in order they were published) and a notation on the article from which they were taken.

Would work well as an introduction to Publius's political theory, perhaps in tandem with Robert Alan Dahl's A Preface to Democratic Theory.

Two implications for NCP:
(1) The geographic expanse and large population were thought to assist in reducing the ill effects of faction, and were not merely national characteristics to be countered by government.
(2) Hamilton states explicitly the commonplace notion of government relying upon coercion for its success (though it need not employ it regularly).… (lisätietoja)