Inaugural Event
The American Political Science Association has recently recognized the formation of a related group called “American Political Thought.” The group was started by Steven Kautz and Benjamin Kleinerman of Michigan State University for the purpose of providing a much needed outlet for scholarship:
Statement of Need:
The purpose of this related group is to promote interest in, and provide an outlet for, the presentation of research on American Political Thought. American Political Thought comprises, among other things, the study of fundamental and/or authoritative texts that are constitutive of American political life; the study of the first principles that ground constitutionalism and democracy in the United States; and the study of the public philosophies or sentiments that have animated political parties (and ultimately the “public mind,” to borrow Lincoln’s expression) throughout American political history. It is related to, but distinct from, the study of American political development and institutions, on one hand, and the study of modern political philosophy and contemporary democratic theory, on the other.
Panel:
The inaugural panel, entitled “Philosophy and American Political Thought” will held Saturday, September 4th at the American Political Science convention in Washington D.C. (meeting room TBD):
- James Ceaser, UVA: “Alexis de Tocqueville and the Two-Founding Thesis”
- Randal Hendrickson, Duke University: “Liberalism and Republicanism in the American Political Tradition”
- Thomas Pangle, UT Austin: “Montesquieu and the Basis of Liberal Modernity in America”
Reception:
A joint reception with the Jack Miller Center will be held September 3rd at 7:30 in Columbia 1 at the Hilton Washington.
All are invited to attend.
