The American Commonwealth V1

By James Bryce

Book Overview

The American Commonwealth V1 is a comprehensive book written by James Bryce that explores the political and social structure of the United States during the late 19th century. The book is divided into two volumes, with the first volume focusing on the federal government and the second volume exploring the state governments. In this first volume, Bryce examines the structure and function of the federal government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. He also looks at the role of political parties, the electoral system, and the influence of the media on American politics. Throughout the book, Bryce provides a detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the American political system, comparing it to other systems around the world. He also explores the social and cultural factors that shape American politics, including race, religion, and immigration. Overall, The American Commonwealth V1 is a valuable resource for anyone interested in American politics and history. Bryce's insights and observations provide a fascinating look at the development of the American political system during a pivotal time in its history.1911. Part One of Two. Bryce, British historian, statesman, and diplomat, wrote significant works in several fields; the first of these was his History of the Holy Roman Empire. He served as ambassador to the United States and the vast knowledge he gained of Americans is revealed in his writings. His interest in sociology and philosophy is evident in the second of his great treatises, The American Commonwealth, a classic that is still read and used. The Contents of this volume are divided into the following two headings: The National Government and The State Governments. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1162718374
• ISBN13: 9781162718378
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 760 Pages
• Weight: 2.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Basic text of American government, often referred to, seldom read.

James Bryce's "The American Commonwealth" is a basic text of American government and politics, one of three such texts, the others being Hamilton, Madison, and Jay The Federalist Papers (Signet Classics), and de Tocqueville Democracy In America (Complete). These three works, two by foreigners, form the groundwork of a basic understanding of the American system of government. Such an understanding is basic to good citizenship. The lack of such an understanding is sadly demonstrated every day by America's journalists, professors, politicians, and average citizens. Reading Bryce's "Commonwealth" seems a formidable task at the beginning, since it is two volumes with a total of over 1600 pages. Yet once you begin, Lord Bryce's style is so natural, almost conversational, and the material so interesting to anyone with the slightest interest in American history and politics (and shouldn't that include every American citizen?), that it is actually a very easy book to read. Bryce was Scottish, born in Belfast, Ireland. He became an attorney and a professor of law at Oxford, then a member of Parliament. He was Ambassador to the United States from 1907 to 1913, became a viscount in 1914. He was very well-traveled and well-known in the US, about as well-qualified as anyone could be to write a description of the American form of government. Because of his reputation as a friend of America he had an important influence on the US entry into World War One on the Allied side. The first volume covers the national and state governments, the second volume covers the party system, public opinion, and various aspects of American political and social life. The first edition was published in 1888, and it was last revised in 1914. Over the years Bryce made many revisions as his observations and knowledge of America broadened and deepened. Bryce explains exactly how American government works. A listing of some of the more significant chapters will give an idea of the subjects covered: Chapter 3: The Origins of the Constitution Chapter 8: Why Great Men are not Chosen President Chapter 33: The Interpretation of the Constitution Chapter 34: The Development of the Constitution by Usage Chapter 53: Political Parties and Their History Chapter 78: How Public Opinion Rules in America Chapter 84: The Tyranny of the Majority Chapter 85: The Fatalism of the Multitude Of special interest are three appendices. The first is a review by Bryce of the predictions of Hamilton and de Tocqueville. The second is a review of "The American Commonwealth" written in 1889 by Woodrow Wilson when Wilson was a professor of political science at Weslyan University in Connecticut. The third is a review by Lord Acton. Bryce believed that had the Constitution been put to a popular vote in 1787 it would never have passed. As it was, the only reason the Constitution gained popular support was because of the fear of foreign powers. As Bryce puts it, in the years following the