Where did the founding ideas of Washington, Madison, and Jefferson find their origins? How did America come to be the preeminent example of the sovereignty of the people? Four professors discuss how the foundational ideas behind this unique political experiment can be traced back to two extraordinary thinkers: John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu.

Featuring:

Professor Paul Carrese | Director of the School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University
https://isearch.asu.edu/profile/3062537

Professor Eric R. Claeys | Professor of Law at the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University
https://www.law.gmu.edu/faculty/directory/fulltime/claeys_eric

Professor Paul A. Rahe | Professor of History, Charles O. Lee and Louise K. Lee Chair in the Western Heritage, Member of Graduate Faculty at Hillsdale College
https://www.hillsdale.edu/faculty/paul-rahe/

Professor Michael Zuckert | Nancy R. Dreux Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame
https://politicalscience.nd.edu/people/michael-zuckert/

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As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.

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Related Links & Differing Views:

Democracy in Moderation: Montesquieu, Tocqueville, and Sustainable Liberalism
https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Moderation-Montesquieu-Tocqueville-Sustainable/dp/1107121051

America’s Civic Virtue of Moderation
https://jackmillercenter.org/americas-civic-virtue-moderation/

Montesquieu & the Separation of Powers
https://oll.libertyfund.org/page/montesquieu-and-the-separation-of-powers

Launching Liberalism: On Lockean Political Philosophy
https://www.amazon.com/Launching-Liberalism-Lockean-Political-Philosophy/dp/0700611746

Montesquieu and the Logic of Liberty
https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300168082/montesquieu-and-logic-liberty

Soft Despotism, Democracy's Drift: Montesquieu, Rousseau, Tocqueville, and the Modern Prospect
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt5vm1f9