For Fear of an Elective King

George Washington and the Presidential Title Controversy of 1789

De: Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon

Narrado por: Pamela Wolken

Duración: 8 h y 16 m

Resumen del Editor

In the spring of 1789, within weeks of the establishment of the new federal government based on the US Constitution, the Senate and House of Representatives fell into dispute regarding how to address the president. Congress, the press, and individuals debated more than 30 titles, many of which had royal associations and some of which were clearly monarchical. For Fear of an Elective King is Kathleen Bartoloni-Tuazon's rich account of the title controversy and its meanings.

The short, intense legislative phase and the prolonged, equally intense public phase animated and shaped the new nation's broadening political community. Rather than simply reflecting an obsession with etiquette, the question challenged Americans to find an acceptable balance between power and the people's sovereignty while assuring the country's place in the Atlantic world. Bartoloni-Tuazon argues that the resolution of the controversy in favor of the modest title of "President" established the importance of recognition of the people's views by the president and evidence of modesty in the presidency, an approach to leadership that fledged the presidency's power by not flaunting it.

This book is published by Cornell University Press.

©2014 Cornell University Press (P)2017 Redwood Audiobooks

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A first-rate scholarly work. Summing Up: Essential." ( Choice)

"Everyone interested in the early Republic, broadly defined, should read it." ( Political Science Quarterly)

"By far the fullest and finest study of the legislative debate over a presidential title, and it is the only study of the public debate over the controversy." ( Journal of the Early Republic)