The Idea of a Party System: The Rise of Legitimate Opposition in the United States, 1780-1840 (Jefferson Memorial Lecture) (Paperback)

by Richard Hofstadter (Author) "WHEN THOMAS JEFFERSON thought of setting down the lasting achievements he wanted inscribed on his tombstone, he mentioned the writing of the Declaration of Independence..." (more)
Key Phrases: Van Buren, New York, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This work traces the historical processes in thought by which American political leaders slowly edged away from their complete philosophical rejection of a party and hesitantly began to embrace a party system. In the author's words, "The emergence of legitimate party opposition and of a theory of politics that accepted it was something new in the history of the world; it required a bold new act of understanding on the part of its contemporaries and it still requires study on our part." Professor Hofstadter's analysis of the idea of party and the development of legitimate opposition offers fresh insights into the political crisis of 1797-1801, on the thought of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Martin Van Buren, and other leading figures, and on the beginnings of modern democratic politics.

About the Author
The late Richard Hofstadter was DeWitt Clinton Professor of History at Columbia University. He was the author of many books and articles on American History and twice received the Pulitzer Prize: in History in 1956, and in general nonfiction in 1964.

Product Details

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (July 1, 1970)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520017544
• ISBN-13: 978-0520017542
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #101,331 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One is Too Few, and Three are Too Many, December 6, 2000

By	James R. Mccall (Libertyville, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What with the current flap in Florida over the Presidential election, and the concomitant party posturing, I pulled down this book to get some perspective on the silliness of political parties. But, in a low-key way, the author leads me to believe that our system is pretty good.

This is not a book that analyzes the system of political parties-not a book of political science, in other words. It is a targeted history, which confines itself nicely to a single question: how did our current system of two major political parties arise?

I had read the book about ten years ago, and found it unmemorable. I liked it better this time, perhaps because the issue it discusses (that is, why there should be political parties, and in particular, why two of them) interests me more these days. Basically, Hofstadter contrasts the traditional views of party that Jefferson and Madison espoused, with more or less consistency at various times, with what came later-particularly through Martin van Buren and his ilk. Under the Founders parties tended to be factions in legislatures loyal to particular elites. Fairly soon, though, and under the force of necessity, they came to embrace the common man (later yet, woman), and changed character.

What is most interesting in this story is that parties were never planned for by those that designed our government, but it is unlikely it could have endured for more than a few years without them. Moreover, the current party situation, with two dead-even opponents of vague ideology but who agree to play by the rules, is probably about the best any democracy can hope for. We have plenty of examples in the world where ideology trumps civility, and party strife easily jumps over into violence. Not much chance of a persistent democracy there!

This book is an easy read for non-historians, as is appropriate in its origin as Jefferson Memorial Lectures. And it is pleasant to come out of a history book with a grasp of anything, however limited.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Parties: A necessary evil?, January 3, 2005

By	lee freke "journalist" - See all my reviews

With the ascendancy of the Republicans, and the coinciding demise of the Democrats, Americans have begun questioning the wisdom the two party system. Luckily for us, from the inception of this country, various questions have been asked about political parties, and various answers provided.
Perhaps the best book anyone can read on this topic is The Idea of a Party System.
Richard Hofstadter, explains that America was a novel experiment when founded, and hence the Founding Fathers, lacking governing experience, were highly influenced by classical history and contemporary English political philosophy. He traces the evolution of political thought from its violent anti-party bias, to the subsequent arguments advocating the acceptance, even the necessity, of parties.
From the Englishmen (Bolingdroke, Burke, etc) to the Virginia aristocrats (Jefferson, Madison) to the Albany Regency, we are led by a timeline, showing what each saw in this issue.
In this relevant, albeit arcane, area of political science, Hofstadter analyzes and writes lucidly, trenchantly, indeed indifferently. The reader is stung by the depth of research undertaken.
The Idea of a Party System is required reading for students of politics, history, or infact, anyone who wants to dig into the brains of the Founders.