Local government in early America : the colonial experience and lessons from the founders /
"Local Government in Early America is a concise and thought-provoking exploration of the American desire for political participation, most notably in the "town hall meeting." A product of early New England democracy. This form of direct local participation remains one of the most cele...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Lanham : [Claremont, Calif.] :
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers ; Claremont Institute,
©2010.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Full text (Emerson users only) Full text (Emmanuel users only) Full text (NECO users only) Full text (MCPHS users only) Full text (Wentworth users only) |
| Summary: | "Local Government in Early America is a concise and thought-provoking exploration of the American desire for political participation, most notably in the "town hall meeting." A product of early New England democracy. This form of direct local participation remains one of the most celebrated, yet feared, institutions in our political life. Depending on one's political perspective regarding the issue at hand, a lively town hall meeting can be the glorious epitome of grassroots activism or the wretched embodiment of reactionary zeal. For all of the media attention devoted to the conservative revolt against health care reform at town hall meetings across the country; the political right is late to the game on local activism. From resolutions opposed to the Patriot Act or the declaration of nuclear-free zones in cities, the political left has used the rhetorical power of the local political pulpit to great effect for many years. All of this is possible because of the manner in which local governments were constructed during the colonial period. Brian P. Janiskee details the origins of our local system by examining key characteristics of local colonial political life, including what Founders like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had to say about the role of villages, towns, and cities in our complex system of government. Through this timely analysis of our political heritage, Janiskee may cause observers to reevaluate the phrase "all politics is local." Indeed, it may be the case that "all local politics is national.""--Jacket |
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| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (xiv, 185 pages) |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 9781442201354 1442201355 1283614375 9781283614375 9786613926821 6613926825 |