Title Quaker constitutionalism and the political thought of John Dickinson / Jane E. Calvert

Published Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2009

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Description 1 online resource (xiv, 382 pages) : illustrations Contents Quaker constitutionalism in theory and practice, c.1652-1763 -- Bureaucratic libertines : the origins of Quaker constitutionalism and civil dissent -- A sacred institution : the Quaker theory of a civil constitution -- "Dissenters in our own country" : constituting a Quaker government in Pennsylvania -- Civil unity and the "seeds of dissention" in the golden age of Quaker theocracy -- The fruits of Quaker dissent : political schism and the rise of John Dickinson -- The political Quakerism of John Dickinson, 1763-1789 -- Turbulent but pacific : "Dickinsonian politics" in the American Revolution -- "The worthy against the licentious" : the critical period in Pennsylvania -- "The political rock of our salvation" : the U.S. Constitution according to John Dickinson -- Epilogue: The persistence of Quaker constitutionalism, 1789-1963 Summary In the late-seventeenth century, Quakers originated a unique strain of constitutionalism, based on their theology and ecclesiology, which emphasized constitutional perpetuity and radical change through popular peaceful protest. While Whigs could imagine no other means of drastic constitutional reform except revolution, Quakers denied this as a legitimate option to governmental abuse of authority and advocated instead civil disobedience. This theory of a perpetual yet amendable constitution and its concomitant idea of popular sovereignty are things that most scholars believe did not exist until the American Founding. The most notable advocate of this theory was Founding Father John Dickinson, champion of American rights, but not revolution. His thought and action have been misunderstood until now, when they are placed within the Quaker tradition. This theory of Quaker constitutionalism can be traced in a clear and direct line from early Quakers through Dickinson to Martin Luther King, Jr Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 335-363) and index Notes English Print version record Subject Dickinson, John, 1732-1808 -- Political and social views SUBJECT Dickinson, John, 1732-1808 fast Subject Quakers -- Political activity -- United States -- History -- 18th century Constitutional history -- United States. Political science -- United States -- History -- 18th century Legislators -- United States -- Biography Quakers -- Pennsylvania -- Biography HISTORY. Politics and government Constitutional history Legislators Political and social views Political science Quakers Quakers -- Political activity SUBJECT United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85140413 United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1809. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85140415 Pennsylvania -- Politics and government -- 1775-1865. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85099536 Delaware -- Politics and government -- 1775-1865. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85036535 Subject Delaware Pennsylvania United States Genre/Form Biographies History Form Electronic book LC no. 2008029668 ISBN 9780521884365 0521884365 0511464681 9780511464683 9780511465420 0511465424 1107200342 9781107200340 1281982849 9781281982841 9786611982843 6611982841 0511575424 9780511575426 0511463146 9780511463143 0511462352 9780511462351 0511463936 9780511463938

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