Majority Rule Versus Consensus - (American Political Thought) by James H Read (Hardcover)

About the Book

The first book on the political thought of John C. Calhoun pays close attention to his advocacy of consensus rule. A respectful but critical look at Calhoun's rationale, which upheld states' rights to maintain slaves--ultimately contributing to secession and war.

Book Synopsis

John C. Calhoun may be best known for his stature in the U.S. Senate and his controversial defense of slavery, but he is also a key figure in American political thought. The staunchest advocate of the consensus model of government as an alternative to majority rule, he proposed government not by one, by few, or by many, but by all: each key group enjoying veto rights over collective decisions.

Some consider consensus preferable to majority rule in deeply divided societies, and consensus theory has been advocated in such contemporary works as Lani Guinier's The Tyranny of the Majority. James Read's book, the first historically informed, theoretically sophisticated critique of Calhoun's political thought, goes beyond other studies to ask key questions about the feasibility of consensus. Read critically examines Calhoun's arguments, considering both their antebellum context--including Calhoun's spirited defense of slavery--and modern-day attempts to apply consensus models in Northern Ireland, the former Yugoslavia, and South Africa.

Read sheds new light on the crisis leading up to the Civil War by exploring Calhoun's conviction that his uncompromising defense of slavery would help preserve the Union. He also juxtaposes Calhoun's thought with that of Jefferson and Madison, whose legacies Calhoun invoked to support his claim that states had the right to nullify federal law, and he contrasts Madison's ultimate faith in majority rule with Calhoun's ultimate rejection of it.

Read argues that, although Calhoun's critique of majority rule deserves careful attention, his remedy is unworkable and in the end unjust. Read demonstrates that governments ruled by consensus tend to be ineffective, that they are better at preventing common action than achieving common goods, and that they privilege strategically placed minorities rather than producing genuine consensus.

Majority Rule versus Consensus is a provocative work that sheds new light on the promise and limitations of democracy, showing that, despite the failure of Calhoun's remedy, his diagnosis of the potential injustice of majority rule must be taken seriously. It discourages uncritical celebrations of democracy in favor of reflection on how committed democrats can better address the problems that Calhoun attempted to solve.

Review Quotes

"Makes an important contribution to the literature of antebellum America with this thoughtful study of Calhoun's cherished political theory." . . . Anyone concerned with understanding sectionalism and Calhoun's critical place in the coming of the war will benefit from this book."--The South Carolina Historical Magazine

"An impressive analysis of Calhoun's political thought. . . . Read is nothing if not masterful in his thorough dissection of Calhoun's claims to constitutional originalism."--Modern Age

"Read bridges theory and history, and his findings are a valuable interdisciplinary contribution."--Journal of the Early Republic

"An important book. . . . Read's analysis is so thorough that readers' admiration for his judgment rises as their appreciation of Calhoun's thought falls. Because it is such a careful and respectful explication of Calhoun's theory, Read's book turns out to be what is likely the most exhaustive and devastating critique of it, rendering all the more compelling the Madisonian alternative."--Journal of Southern History

"An outstanding book. Read reveals the fundamental flaws of Calhoun's 'concurrent majority, ' but also offers a sympathetic and compelling account of the Carolinian's vain efforts to craft a constitutional solution to the deepening sectional crisis. . . . Essential reading for all serious students of American political thought."--Peter Onuf, author of Jefferson's Empire: The Language of American Nationhood

"Provides a lucid analysis of the political philosophy and constitutional theories of a key historical figure. . . . Invaluable for anyone with an interest in constitutional history or antebellum thought."--Daniel Farber, author of Lincoln's Constitution

"Very well done--a first-rate piece of work."--Michael P. Zuckert, author of The Natural Rights Republic