Majority Rule versus Consensus: The Political Considered John C. Calhoun (American Political Thought (College Press of Kansas))

John C. Calhoun could also be greatest recognized for his stature within the U.S. Senate and his controversial protection of slavery, however he’s additionally a key determine in American political thought. The staunchest advocate of the consensus mannequin of presidency as a substitute for majority rule, he proposed authorities not by one, by few, or by many, however by all: every key group having fun with veto rights over collective choices.

Some think about consensus preferable to majority rule in deeply divided societies, and consensus idea has been advocated in such up to date works as Lani Guinier’s The Tyranny of the Majority. James Learn’s e book, the primary traditionally knowledgeable, theoretically subtle critique of Calhoun’s political thought, goes past different research to ask key questions concerning the feasibility of consensus. Learn critically examines Calhoun’s arguments, contemplating each their antebellum context—together with Calhoun’s spirited protection of slavery—and modern-day makes an attempt to use consensus fashions in Northern Eire, the previous Yugoslavia, and South Africa.

Learn sheds new gentle on the disaster main as much as the Civil Conflict by exploring Calhoun’s conviction that his uncompromising protection of slavery would assist protect the Union. He additionally juxtaposes Calhoun’s thought with that of Jefferson and Madison, whose legacies Calhoun invoked to help his declare that states had the best to nullify federal regulation, and he contrasts Madison’s final religion in majority rule with Calhoun’s final rejection of it.

Learn argues that, though Calhoun’s critique of majority rule deserves cautious consideration, his treatment is unworkable and ultimately unjust. Learn demonstrates that governments dominated by consensus are usually ineffective, that they’re higher at stopping frequent motion than reaching frequent items, and that they privilege strategically positioned minorities relatively than producing real consensus.

Majority Rule versus Consensus is a provocative work that sheds new gentle on the promise and limitations of democracy, exhibiting that, regardless of the failure of Calhoun’s treatment, his analysis of the potential injustice of majority rule have to be taken significantly. It discourages uncritical celebrations of democracy in favor of reflection on how dedicated democrats can higher tackle the issues that Calhoun tried to resolve.