The Political Thought of Frederick Douglass In Pursuit of American Liberty [Hardcover]

Frederick Douglass, one of the most prominent figures inAfrican-American and United Stateshistory, was born a slave, but escaped to the North and became a well-knownanti-slavery activist, orator, and author. InThe Political Thought ofFrederick Douglass, Nicholas Buccola provides an important and originalargument about the ideas that animated this reformer-statesman. Beyond his roleas an abolitionist, Buccola argues for the importance of understanding Douglassas a political thinker who provides deep insights into the immense challenge ofachieving and maintaining the liberal promise of freedom. Douglass, Buccolacontends, shows us that the language of rights must be coupled with a robustunderstanding of social responsibility in order for liberal ideals to berealized. Truly an original American thinker, this book highlights Douglass’srightful place among the great thinkers in the American liberal tradition.