The Classical Foundations of the American Constitution Prevailing Wisdom [Hardcover]

This book offers insights on how the framers and ratifiers of the Constitution were influenced by classical political theory and ancient history.The drafters and ratifiers of the American Constitution were influenced by ancient history and classical political theory. This new volume combines techniques of intellectual history, classical studies, and constitutional interpretation offering fresh insights into the way the Framers designed the structural aspects of the Constitution, including separation of powers, the balance between federal and state power, the authority of the senate, judicial independence, and the exercise of war and foreign relations powers.The drafters and ratifiers of the American Constitution were influenced by ancient history and classical political theory. This new volume combines techniques of intellectual history, classical studies, and constitutional interpretation offering fresh insights into the way the Framers designed the structural aspects of the Constitution, including separation of powers, the balance between federal and state power, the authority of the senate, judicial independence, and the exercise of war and foreign relations powers.The Framers of the American Constitution were substantially influenced by ancient history and classical political theory, as exemplified by their education, the availability of classical readings, and their inculcation in classical republican values. This volume explores how the Framing generation deployed classical learning to develop many of the essential structural aspects of the Constitution: federalism, separation of powers, a bicameral legislature, independent courts, and the war and foreign relations powers. Also examined are very contemporary constitutional debates, for which there were classical inspirations, including sovereign immunity, executive privilege, line-item vetoes, and the electoral college. Combining techniques of intellectual history, classical studies, and constitutional interl)