A Disquisition on Government and Selections from the Discourse

by John C. Calhoun

The only student edition of Calhoun's writings available, this volume offers the Disquisition in its entirety along with two key selections from the Formation of the Federal Period and A Plural Executive Proposed.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

139 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1853

About the author

John Caldwell Calhoun (March 18, 1782 – March 31, 1850) was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. A powerful intellect, Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent of a strong national government and protective tariffs. After 1840 he switched to states' rights, limited government, nullification and free trade. He is best known for his intense and original defense of slavery as a positive good, for his inventing the theory of minority rights in a democracy, and for pointing the South toward secession from the Union.

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This work contains selections from a larger work by the author of the same title. Calhoun discusses constitutional forms of government including the American government.