The Great Debate: Advocates and Opponents of the American Constitution

By: Thomas L. Pangle, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Thomas L. Pangle

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Its authority and stature are routinely invoked by voices from every point on the political spectrum, with frequent references to the Founding Fathers and their true "intent." What really was their true intent?

As these 12 surprising lectures show, many of those Founding Fathers - including Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry - were highly critical of the new Constitution and staunchly opposed it when it was first put forth for ratification by the states as a replacement for the Articles of Confederation.

The debate over the Constitution raged for the better part of two years, and beneath its rhetorical flourishes lay not only the longest and most profound civic argument in our nation's history, but also a civics lesson that deserves to endure for all time. It was an argument that would result not only in the ratification of the Constitution, but also in what that Constitution would become.

Professor Pangle takes you into this debate. You'll see which Founders opposed the new Constitution, which Founders led the battle for it, and how both sides helped define the result. In an era when contemporary arguments on the national stage so often mirror the same conflicts debated by the Founders, our own reenactment of that original debate can enrich our ability to be active and participating citizens.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2007 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2007 The Great Courses

A thought provoking review

Professor Pangle provides the academics wrapped up in a passionate and eye opening review of the struggle set before the founding fathers. Thanks for your insight.

Great comparison of federalist and anti-federalist

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

The lecture is a great break down between the federalist papers and the anti-federalist papers. Explains why the confederation was a bad idea because of lack of central power.

Thought-provoking; challenges conventional wisdom

I thought that I knew a lot about the Constitutional Convention, ratification, etc. Pangle added a whole new dimension to my knowledge. He is much more charitable toward the anti-Federalists than most historians. He got me to see them in a different light.

Short but good

Very interesting and informative. Makes you realize some things never change, as the debate then about government power and civic virtue are not too different than today, though maybe we have lost some depth in our contemporary arguments. This is a relatively short course, but a good introduction to the debate around the constitution at the time of its adoption.

Oustanding series of lectures on the constitution

Professor Pagle is an able scholar but he also presents the material in an engaging manner that kept my attention. Dr. Pangle provides balanced coverage of the competing arguments at the constitutional convention and the ratification debates between the Federalists, who advocated for a strong centralized government, and the Antifederalists, who advocated for less centralization and insisted on a bill of rights in the constitution (though that was not added till after ratification). I have listened to his lectures more than once and this set is one of my favourite courses by The Great Courses (The Teaching Company). Understanding Madison, Hamilton, and Jay's Federalist Papers is not adequate to understanding the constitution. You can understand both sides, and this course is a good way to do so.

A Perfect Overview of the Federalist vs. Anti-federalist debate

Thomas Pangle is a genius in his ability to pick out the most relevant and organizationally proficient quotations and arguments from either the Federalist Papers or the Anti-Federalist papers, and the other sides responses to the other. The chain of arguments he follows is clear and made easier to understand with his excellent explanations and occasional updates on how the arguments align with our modern reality. I would recommend this course to anyone with an interest in American politics or political philosophy in general. Any regular citizen, as well as informed scholar, can and will benefit from Thomas Pangle's noteworthy lectures on the American Constitution found here.

Excellent!!!

Short but concise. This is an amazing look at the Constitution and the way the framers thought of it, both for and against. I think this is a pivotal and essential course.

Very rich and scholarly

Absolutely loved this course. But I don’t know why audible wants at least 15 words. I’m working out now and don’t have time to write more. boo to audible.

Great

I really enjoyed this as someone who is ignorant of the facts behind the myths of America, it's founding fathers and the constitution. it is an excellent course and sheds light on some longstanding issues with the US government.

More Things I Wasn’t Taught in School

The professor lays out things that were only ever hinted at before to me, and does so thoroughly and concisely. This is a public service.