{"product_id":"the-original-compromise-what-the-constitutions-framers-were-really-thinking","title":"The Original Compromise: What the Constitution's Framers Were Really Thinking","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe eighty-five famous essays by Hamilton  Madison  and Jay--known collectively as the Federalist Papers--comprise the lens through which we typically view the ideas behind the U.S. Constitution. But we are wrong to do so  writes David Brian Robertson  if we really want to know what the Founders were thinking.  In this provocative new account of the framing of the Constitution  Robertson observes that the Federalist Papers represented only one side in a fierce argument that was settled by compromise--in fact  multiple compromises. Drawing on numerous primary sources  Robertson unravels the highly political dynamics that shaped the document. Hamilton and Madison  who hailed from two of the larger states  pursued an ambitious vision of a robust government with broad power. Leaders from smaller states envisioned only a few added powers  sufficient to correct the disastrous weakness of the Articles of Confederation  but not so strong as to threaten the governing systems within their own states. The two sides battled for three arduous months; the Constitution emerged piece by piece  the product of an evolving web of agreements. Robertson examines each contentious debate  including arguments over the balance between the federal government and the states  slavery  war and peace  and much more. In nearly every case  a fractious  piecemeal  and very political process prevailed. In this way  the convention produced a government of separate institutions  each with the will and ability to defend its independence. Majorities would rule  but the Constitution made it very difficult to assemble majorities large enough to let the government act.  Brilliantly argued and deeply researched  this book will change the way we think of \"original intent.\" With a bracing willingness to challenge old pieties  Robertson rescues the political realities that created the government we know today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44966835748917,"sku":"ByrdShop_0199796297","price":28.78,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780199796298.jpg?v=1770582772","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-original-compromise-what-the-constitutions-framers-were-really-thinking","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}