In this new book, leading scholar Rachel Hammersley expertly and accessibly introduces this complex but important topic. Beginning in the ancient world, she traces the history of republican government in theory and practice across the centuries in Europe and North America, concluding with an analysis of republicanism in our contemporary politics. She argues that republicanism is a dynamic political language, with each new generation of thinkers building on the ideas of their predecessors and adapting them in response to their own circumstances, concerns, and crises.
This compelling account of the origins, history, and potential future of one of the world’s most enduring political ideas will be essential reading for anyone with an interest in republicanism, from historians and political theorists to politicians and ordinary citizens.
Table of Contents
Introduction: What Is Republicanism?Introduction
Defining the Republic
Government in the Public Interest
Republic and Commonwealth
Republican Exclusivism
The Dynamism of Republicanism
Mixed Government
Sovereignty and Government
Republicanism and Religion
Small States versus Large States
Slavery and Labour
Republican Concepts
Liberty
Virtue
Conclusion
Notes
1 Republican Ideas in the Ancient World
Introduction
Ancient Republican Models
Sparta
Athens
Rome
The Hebrew Republic
Ancient Republican Theories
Plato
Aristotle
Polybius
Cicero
History Writing: Sallust, Livy, and Tacitus
Conclusion
Notes
2 Renaissance Republicanism
Introduction
The Political and Intellectual Background to Renaissance Republicanism
The Politics of Renaissance Italy
Greek versus Roman Thought
History
Self-Governing Republics
The Beginnings of Republican Exclusivism
Active Politics and the Importance of Virtue
Constitutional Architecture
Religion
Concord versus Tumults
Conclusion
Notes
3 The Emergence of Early Modern Republicanism
Introduction
Classical and Renaissance Influences
Venice
Geneva
The United Provinces
The Swiss Federation
Poland-Lithuania
Conclusion
Notes
4 The English Revolution
Introduction
The Establishment of the English Republic
The Varieties of English Republicanism, I: Defences of the Regicide
Milton, The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates
Milton, Eikonoklastēs, and Pro populo anglicano defensio
Nedham, The Case of the Commonwealth of England, Stated
Nedham, The Excellencie of a Free State
The Varieties of English Republicanism, II: Critiques of the Protectorate
Harrington’s The Commonwealth of Oceana
Opposition to Harringtonian Republicanism
Conclusion
Notes
5 Post-Revolutionary English Republicanism
Introduction
The Creation of the Canon
The Exclusion Crisis and Glorious Revolution
Toland’s Publishing Campaign and the Country Party
The Publication Campaign of Hollis and Baron
Later Campaigns
Liberty
Virtue
Republicanism, Monarchy, and the Mixed and Balanced Constitution
The Standing Army
Commercial Society
The Later Eighteenth Century
Conclusion
Notes
6 Republicanism during the Enlightenment
Introduction
The Legacy of Republican Ideas
Dutch Republicanism in the Eighteenth Century
Genevan Republicanism and the Genevan Revolution
Rousseau
Montesquieu
Mably
Conclusion
Notes
7 The American Revolution
Introduction
The Ideological Origins of American Republicanism
Liberal versus Republican Origins
The Classical Heritage
The British Commonwealth Tradition
Royalist Influences
The Break from Britain
Paine’s Common Sense
The State Constitutions and Articles of Confederation
The Drawing up of the American Constitution
American Debates, I: Arguments over the Mixed Constitution
American Debates, II: Anti-Federalists versus Federalists
Conclusion
Notes
8 The French Revolution
Introduction
The Resources of Republican Thought
Classical Sources
English Republicanism
The American Model
Francophone Sources
The Genevan and Dutch Models
The Brissotins-Girondins
The Cordeliers
The Jacobins
The Thermidoreans
Conclusion
Notes
9 Republicanism in the Nineteenth Century
Introduction
Republican Regimes
The United States of America
France
Republican Opposition
Italy
Britain
Conclusion
Notes
10 Republicanism Today
Introduction
Republicanism and the History of Political Thought
The Republican Revival in Contemporary Political Philosophy
Conclusion
Notes
Index
