Our second 2010 Summer institute in Chicago was an invigorating success. Twenty five College and University Teachers gathered at Chicago’s Drake Hotel for 2 full weeks of academic seminars, extended discussion, and workshops designed to enhance professional development. The theme of this year’s institute was “Liberty and Enterprise: The American Founding and the Birth of the Modern Commercial Republic.”
Chicago Summer Institute
Seminars
Each morning, participants gather for a plenary seminar given by renowned scholars in the fields of History, Political Science, Philosophy and Economics. Theses seminars are followed by smaller discussion groups to continue on the morning’s readings and faculty presentation.
James Ceaser, University of Virginia, “Foundations and the Study of American Politics”
- Political Scientists should approach the subject of American Political life in the terms in which it experienced and described by ordinary citizens. Such a study would make accurate (non-ideological) description more likely and make political science useful in its original Aristotelian conception as a possible aid in responsible political action.
Joyce Appleby, University of California, Las Angeles, “Laying the Foundation of Capitalism, American Style”
- European visitors to the United States were most struck by the similarity between urban and rural Americans with regard to political discourse, commercial attitudes, and a seemingly naïve confidence in the possibility of upward mobility. The early American commercial spirit was fostered by an efficient postal service, transportation, and professional opportunity in medicine, law, education, and trade. Biographical selections were used to illustrate the power of the vitality of the early American spirit and its dependence on free trade.
John Danford, Loyola University, Chicago, “Commerce, Manners, and the Debate Over Republics”
- David Hume argued extensively against ancient regimes such as Rome and Sparta and their ability to form a vigorous Republican spirit combined with freedom (these older regimes depended on slave labor). In order to make the case for a modern Republic, however, Hume had to overcome prejudice against free trade and the search for luxury. Contrary to those who argued that a commercial society undermines virtue and morals, Hume successfully makes the case that the civilizing and broad economic benefits of free trade far outweigh the supposed negatives.
2010 Participants
Ralph Lerner, University of Chicago, “A New Character for a New Man”
- Franklin’s Autobiography is a carefully written tract, composed for the education of the American populace in the importance of self-reliance. Franklin’s intention is most clearly seen in his careful presentation of religious fanaticism as an obstacle to individual responsibility and human flourishing.
Jean Yarbrough, Bowdoin College, “Political Economy and Character: A Jeffersonian Perspective”
- Jefferson’s view of political economy is complicated, but viewing his economic thought across his career indicates agreement with the classical liberal view propounded by John Locke. Jefferson was not an opponent of commercial society (including manufacturing), but a thinker who saw private enterprise as fundamentally important to the future success of America.
Wilfred McClay, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, “The Limits of Expertise”
- Contemporary arguments for government action often rest on the perceived authority of “experts.” Using detailed historical evidence, Prof. McClay suggested that the rule of experts is questionable and often used as a pretext to justify partisan policy preferences.
Stuart Warner, Roosevelt University, “Montesquieu Commercial Liberty and Constitutionalism”
- During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws was quoted more often than all other political theorists combined. This makes Montesquieu of intense interest to those who want to understand the fundamental premises of the U.S. Constitution. In particular, Montesquieu’s positive emphasis on commerce and its positive benefits is a vital theme. According to Montesquieu’s extensive historical and theoretical reflections, commercial life provides the widest benefit to citizens at large as well as moderating their mores and promoting sufficient respect for religious toleration.
Nathan Tarcov, University of Chicago, “Acquisition and Property in Machiavelli and Locke”
- Machiavelli’s emphasis on military-virtue is often contrasted with Locke’s emphasis on industriousness and private property. There are tantalizing references in Machiavelli, however, that point to peaceful free trade as bulwark of an established society. In this light, Machiavelli and Locke are closer than commonly assumed. This in turn, allows us to appreciate the herculean efforts Locke thought were necessary to secure human society against the forces of nature and the constant threat of human tyranny (in both political and theological forms).
Michael Zuckert, University of Notre Dame, “Economic Rights and the Constitution”
- Early Supreme Court cases (Slaughter House Cases and Munn v. Illinois) present the initial attempts of the court to deal with economic disputes in the new environment created by the XIII-XV Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. In both cases the courts tried to delineate between the regulatory powers of State and Local governments on the one hand, and the Federal Government on the other. By focusing on the intersection and occasional tension between the right to private property and the “public good” students are able to gain a deeper understanding of both claims. Although the right of private property was upheld in each case, the underlying arguments of both sides are still relevant to our contemporary situation and current political debates.
Peter McNamara, Utah State University, “Hamilton and the American Commercial Republic”
- Alexander Hamilton is often portrayed as the “progressive founder” in matters of political economy. His arguments concerning political economy cannot be reduced in these terms, however, and an accurate view of Hamilton is much closer to a view of limited government and personal responsibility that are opposed to unlimited government expansion.
Michael and Catherine Zuckert with Goldie and Jack Miller
Faculty Development Workshops
Our afternoon workshops are designed to assist faculty members with their professional advancement, with a particular focus on teaching, publishing, and securing tenure. Members of our institute teaching faculty lead workshops focusing on the development of intellectually engaging courses dealing with the key ideas, themes, and events from the American past, in addition to leading workshops on effective teaching methods. Other workshops, led by the directors of academic presses, focus on building successful book proposals and successfully navigating the editorial approval process.
Matthew Sitman and James Ceaser, University of Virginia, UVA Syllabus Presentation “The American Political Tradition”
- Discussion of the innovative approach to “American Government” courses taught by JMC post-docs. In addition to an explanation of the course rational, discussion included aspects of pedagogy and strategy for establishing civic education programs in academic departments that are sometimes hostile to using primary texts in the classroom.
John Tryneski, Editorial Director, University of Chicago Press, “Behind the Scenes”
- Discussion of the changing economic forces that are effecting the publishing industry, including recent trends for online (Kindle) books and publication on demand. These market forces are slowly having an impact on the make-up of successful book proposals.
Michael Pack, Manifold Productions, Rediscovering Alexander Hamilton
- The issues facing a film maker are surprisingly similar to pedagogical strategies used in the classroom. How do we accurately portray historical figures and maintain the requisite level of interest in students? Which aspects of a figure like Alexander Hamilton deserve emphasis and why? Mr. Pack also sought advice (historic and creative) for his next feature on the life of Thomas Jefferson.
William Anthony Hay, Mississippi State University, “Campus Entrepreneurship”
- A successful academic career depends upon more than teaching duties and publication record. Discussion included options for building on-campus and off-campus networks, avenues for publication in the popular press, and ways to raise outside funding for campus programming.
Fred Woodward, Editor University Press of Kansas, “Academic Writing and Style”
- Successful monographs begin with a successful book proposal, but the impact and readership reception depend in large part on clear prose and writing style. Effective argumentation begins with a well developed plan that distinguishes an author’s own distinct voice and scholarly reputation.
Catherine Zuckert, University of Notre Dame, Editor Review of Politics, “Writing for Journal Publication”
- Successful journal publication is a different enterprise than the publication of monographs. Although article length research is shorter, the obstacles to publication can appear greater to first time authors than book length research. In many ways, the success of journal publication depends on being familiar with the unique challenges faced by a journal editor who must arbitrate the differences between author and reviewer.
2011
Plans for our the Jack Miller Center’s next Summer Institutes are already underway. To find out more about nominating future JMC Fellows, please send an inquiry to Emily Koons (JMC Program Officer) at ekoons@gojmc.org.
To find out how you can help support future JMC Summer Institutes with a philanthropic gift, further information can be found at the Support Us page on this website.
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