The Essential Antifederalist [Paperback]

William B. Allen (Editor), Gordon Lloyd (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0742521885 | ISBN-13: 978-0742521889 | Publication Date: December 17, 2001 | Edition: Second Edition

At the pivotal moment in the history of the United States of America, ratification of the Constitution was championed by James Madison, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton in a series of newspaper articles known as the Federalist Papers. In answer to these arguments and as a way of pointing up flaws and weaknesses in the Constitution itself, a number of political thinkers (who mostly used pseudonyms) argued against ratification through articles and speeches which have collectively come to be known as the 'Antifederalist Papers.' This edited collection of readings from Antifederalist thought was first published in 1985. Here presented with a completely revised and updated interpretive essay from the editors and expanded to cover the period of the founding from 1776-91, this book is the most complete one-volume collection of its kind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Revised Edition of The Essential Antifederalist continues the original, important contribution to the history and thought of the founding, now with an importantly expanded interpretive essay comprehensively reviewing recent scholarship, very helpful apparatus, such as an index, and readier identification of individual entries. This is a MUST for teaching the founding. (Sheehan, Colleen )

A review of the original Constitutional debate and especially Antifederalist criticisms help bring focus to other, less-often discussed issues that may have some bearing on the study of the contemporary presidency. (Presidential Studies Quarterly )

[This] book is a real service to our profession. The readings [the editors] have selected are very useful ones. (Koritansky, John )

[This book] has been designed specifically for classroom use and provides a coherent expression of some of the principle themes of Antifederalists. (Hickok, Eugene W., Jr. )

The most comprehensive one-volume access to Antifederalist thought, this volume offers a selected anthology of readings excerpted from the body of Antifederalist writing. (American Spectator )

This work is solid with all of the major essays by Antifederalist . . . an excellent selection because it can be readily digested by the general public. They will understand who the antifeds were and what they wrote. (Independence National Historical Park )

A compact yet comprehensive and judiciously balanced introduction to Antifederalist thought, perfect for teaching purposes and essential for adoption. (Leonard W. Levy )

A splendid collection of documents, in highly useable form. An excellent and convenient tool for teaching. (Forrest McDonald )

About the Author

William B. Allen is professor of political science at Michigan State University. A Ph. D. from Claremont Graduate School, Allen is author of The Federalist Papers: A Commentary, Let the Advice Be Good: A defense of Madison's Democratic Nationalism, and editor of All Cloudless Glory: A Biography of George Washington by Harrison Clark. Gordon Lloyd is the John M. Olin Professor of Public Policy at Pepperdine University. A Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate School, Lloyd is the co-editor ofThe Essential Bill of Rights: Original Arguments and Fundamental Documents, as well as the author of numerous articles on federalism and the founding.

Product Details

• Paperback: 374 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; Second Edition edition (December 17, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742521885
• ISBN-13: 978-0742521889
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice sampling of Antifederalist thought, June 3, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Essential Antifederalist (Paperback)

As the book notes at the outset (page viii), "'The Antifederalists' is the name commonly used to designate those people who opposed the ratification of the Constitution." Most Americans are probably pretty much unaware of the key opponents of the Constitution as it was being debated--let alone understanding the arguments raised against the document. This edited volume helps to address this lack of awareness by presenting many key documents authored by those who opposed the Constitution. As such, it enriches our understanding of what was "at stake" during the Constitutional debate.

The book reminds us that the Antifederalists actually had demonstrable effects on the final version of the Constitution; for one thing, their argument about the need for a Bill of Rights led to a promise by Federalists (supporters of the proposed Constitution) to include such an item after the new government was formed and operational.

The Introduction notes two key issues animating the Antifederalists and dividing them from the Federalists--(page x): ". . .the people are the sovereigns of the government; and an express reservation of powers qualified the government by affirming the people's sovereignty." A central issue dividing the opposing camps, indeed, was the very nature of representation. Antifederalists wanted more representation (annual elections, rotation in office [now referred to as "term limits"], large numbers of representatives), whereas the Federalists, as indicated in the "Federalist Papers," wanted some distance between the people and their representatives.

The preceding lays out the nature of the volume. There are some nice features of the work, such as a timeline of events during ratification. What about the contents of the book? Chapter One focuses on the origin of Antifederalist thought (including writings by John Lansing, Luther Martin, and John Lansing, among others). Chapter Two looks at the Antifederalists' views of the Federalists, including speeches by Patrick Henry at the Virginia Ratifying Convention. Chapter Three explores the Antifederalist view of republicanism. Some of the major works on this subject that appeared in print are presented in the book. The final chapter examines Antifederalist support.

In sum, this is not a perfect volume (many important essays are left out, but one can only include so much, and the editors' selection is a reasonable set of works), but it does provide a representative compendium of works by the Antifederalists. As such, the book helps enhance understanding of the debates of that era and indicates key issues that were at stake during the debate.