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An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution of The United States Paperback – September 5, 1986

by Charles A. Beard (Author)

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First published in 1913, Beard’s iconoclastic masterwork sparked a deep historical debate that has not abated. Scrutinizing the Constitution in light of economic forces, he proposed for the first time that this politico-legal document was shaped by a group of men whose commercial interests were best served by its provisions. One hundred years later, An Economic Interpretation continues to stand the test of time, raising important questions about commercial and political power and generating radical new insights into our laws and our economy.

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Editorial Reviews

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"Here again is the original constitutional skeptic to remind Americans that our republic's authors had not only intellects but interests. Charles Beard set out to jolt his contemporaries out of their pious admiration of the constitution's framers. His economic interpretation remains a lively, surprisingly humorous and sharp-witted analysis of the nation's beginnings. Reading it today, the book aims a keen and pointed thrust at the originalism of our own age." -- Professor Eric Rauchway, University of California Davis Department of History

"One hundred years after it first appeared, Charles Beard's An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution still commands our attention as a classic of historical scholarship -- not because every view Beard put forward has stood the test of time but because the questions he raised about the intersections of economic and political power are just as relevant today as when he wrote." -- Professor Eric Foner, Columbia University Department of History

"This is the book that started us all on the journey to understanding the complex motives and conflicting interests that shaped our constitution. 100 years after its publication, it still has the power to excite and exasperate, to stir fierce debate and to inspire new interpretations." -- Carol Berkin, Presidential Professor of History, Emerita, Baruch College & The Graduate Center, CUNY

About the Author

Charles A. Beard (1874-1948) is considered one of the most influential American historians in the first half of the twentieth century. Some of his works include Economic Origins of Jeffersonian Democracy, and The Administration and Politics of Tokyo.

Paperback: 386 pages
Publisher: Free Press; Reissue edition (September 5, 1986)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0029024803
ISBN-13: 978-0029024805
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1 x 8.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Customer Reviews: 40 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,023,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2793 in Historiography (Books)
- #1655 in Constitutions (Books)
- #4437 in General Constitutional Law

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caseyat bat

Excellent. However not for the blind American Exceptionalism fanatic ...

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2015

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Excellent. However not for the blind American Exceptionalism fanatic who does not accept economic facts that takes the patriotism edge off the historic inculcation of our society (probably the reason there are few modern versions of this work). The study is strictly about economic considerations of the "founding fathers" (state by state and wealth by wealth, debtors and creditors) who needed to shore up the safety of their wealth and power. Explains how the Constitutional Convention came about (without an effective delegate process), how the economic structures were involved (personalty/real estate ; farmers; manufacturers; trades; etc.). My opinion: should be history classes in upper high school especially in AP History. After reading this I understand why certain states are attacking AP history to censor knowledge. I am an 8 year USN, Viet Nam era veteran. I love my country. But I also know that the suppression of historical fact disables any ability to solve current and future problems. Loved this OLD book.

15 people found this helpful

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David L. Parnell

Coffee table historians publish to sell books, not to relate actual history.

Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Coffee table historians publish to sell books, not to relate actual history. These "elitist" historians would have you believe our "Founding" Fathers" were considering the public good when the codified the documents of our government. In fact, they were codifying a "republic" to keep themselves in power and to serve their selfish greed for power and fortune. Each of these documents beginds with a "democratic declaration" such as "we the people" and government by the people and for the people, after which, each section is designed to to secure power and control by a select few families of wealth. Alexander Hamilton is an example...his national bank was to enrich all those wealthy persons who had bought up 90 percent of the Continental script used to finance the Revolutionary War for pennies on the dollar and then ordained that these paper debts should be redeemed in gold bullion. There motivation was never patriotism but old fashioned greed. They stole from the masses who actually sacrificed for the public good. The self-serving economic foundations of the Constitution are evident throughout history and have delivered our current dysfunctional government still driven by a few hundred families at the expense of 99.99% of the American population. Every American should read this historical interpretation of the economics that were driving the "founding fathers" as they institutionalized themselves then as now to control and profit from our great nation.

One person found this helpful

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Poor quality Kindle edition

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The book itself is an intriguing look at the Constitution as well as the early 20th century view of the body politic. It's a shame that the Kindle edition reviewed here was such a poor copy. Do not go Kindle with this one. People buying a paper-back copy had a much easier time reading the material and understanding the footnotes. Something lost in the Kindle edition which placed the footnotes in the same size font and without line break to distinguish this information from the text. An important, controversial work of economic history - an important addition to any historian's library. Just not this edition.

7 people found this helpful

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Herbert J. Bailey

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME.

Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I first reviewed the book thirty-five years ago when when I was completing my undergrad degree in Business Administration. Two years later I completed my Grad (Masters) degree in Economics, but because of my constant moving around I lost track of the book. However, I could not forget the impression I got from my initial review of how the architects of the U S Constitution was comprised of the Rich, Powerful, and Educated class (and some slave owners) all of whom had a personal interest as to how the
U S Government was to be formed, and managed. With the exception of Slave owners, nothing has changed. If it were not for the right to vote, the common citizens (not rich, powerful, or well educated) are just pawns on the Chess Board of our society. Thank God there are no Slave Owners (?). Maybe after I finish reading the book from cover to cover for the second time I may have a different point of view, but I don't think so. Charles A Beard has made some interesting revelations. Maybe, if more Americans would review this book, they would have a better understanding of how our government works or at least who runs it.

Herbert J Bailey

6 people found this helpful

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C Ayer

What was the real reason for changing from a confederation to a federal republic

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Beard shows the economic interests that motivated every part of the constitution. It was written to allow the creditor and investor class to run the nation, and keep the ordinary people from interfering. That has been the goal of the conservatives ever since.

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William D Kline

The underlying economics of founding fathers, the Male Self-Interest at Work!

Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A wonderful economic treatise on the underlying motives of the founding fathers and politics of colonial times. Should be a reference guide to high school classes on political science!

One person found this helpful

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