America’s first treasury secretary and one of the three authors of the Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton stands as one of the nation’s important early statesmen. Michael P. Federici places this Founding Father among the country’s original political philosophers as well. Hamilton remains something of an enigma. Conservatives and liberals both claim him, and in his writings one can find material to support the positions of either camp. Taking a balanced and objective approach, Federici sorts through the written and historical record to reveal Hamilton’s philosophy as the synthetic product of a well-read and pragmatic figure whose intellectual genealogy drew on Classical thinkers such as Cicero and Plutarch, Christian theologians, and Enlightenment philosophers, including Hume and Montesquieu. In evaluating the thought of this republican and would-be empire builder, Federici explains that the apparent contradictions found in the Federalist Papers and other examples of Hamilton’s writings reflect both his practical engagement with debates over the French Revolution, capital expansion, commercialism, and other large issues of his time, and his search for a balance between central authority and federalism in the embryonic American government. This book challenges the view of Hamilton as a monarchist and shows him instead to be a strong advocate of American constitutionalism. Devoted to the whole of Hamilton’s political writing, this accessible and teachable analysis makes clear the enormous influence Hamilton had on the development of American political and economic institutions and policies.

Excerpt from The Political Theories of Alexander Hamilton Alexander Hamilton, beyond most of his contemporaries, had clearly defined views regarding the nature of the state, government and laws. In their general outlines his ideas are well known. Until now, however, there has been no attempt to make an exhaustive analysis and logical statement of his theories. This the present essay seeks to do. Especial thanks are due to Dr. W. W. Willoughby, without whose kind and unfailing assistance this work would not have been possible. The references are to the works of Alexander Hamilton, edited by Hon. Henry Cabot Lodge, N. Y., 1885. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from The Political Theories of Alexander Hamilton Political science has developed in accordance with the needs and demands Of the times. As the course Of political philosophy is traced this fact stands out more and more prominently. Doctrines and theories have been laid down as each writer has felt impelled to find some defence for, or criticism of, existing conditions. Especially in vindicating the ideas of a revolution, or in establishing new forms of government, new ideals and new doctrines have been form ulated. The works in defense of the changes have con tained expositions of the principles on which the new gov ernments are founded. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Introduction:Hamilton's significance --The personal background of a political theorist --Hamilton's philosophical anthropology --Theoretical foundations of constitutionalism --Hamilton and American constitutional formation --Hamilton's foreign policy --Hamilton's political economy --Hamilton and Jefferson --Conclusion:Hamilton's legacy.