Barry Alan Shain's Books

The Myth of American Individualism

The Protestant Origins of American Political Thought

By: Barry Alan Shain

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The Myth of American Individualism

The Protestant Origins of American Political Thought

By: Barry Alan Shain

Sharpening the debate over the values that formed America's founding political philosophy, Barry Alan Shain challenges us to reconsider what early Americans meant when they used such basic political concepts as the public good, liberty, and slavery. We have too readily assumed, he argues, that eighteenth-century Americans understood these and other terms in an individualistic manner. However, by exploring how these core elements of their political thought were employed in Revolutionary-era sermons, public documents, newspaper editorials, and political pamphlets, Shain reveals a very different understanding--one based on a reformed Protestant communalism. In this context, individual liberty was the freedom to order one's life in accord with the demanding ethical standards found in Scripture and confirmed by reason. This was in keeping with Americans' widespread acceptance of original sin and the related assumption that a well-lived life was only possible in a tightly knit, intrusive community made up of families, congregations, and local government bodies. Shain concludes that Revolutionary-era Americans defended a Protestant communal vision of human flourishing that stands in stark opposition to contemporary liberal individualism. This overlooked component of the American political inheritance, he further suggests, demands examination because it alters the historical ground upon which contemporary political alternatives often seek legitimation, and it facilitates our understanding of much of American history and of the foundational language still used in authoritative political documents.

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Page Count

415

Publisher

Princeton University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0691224994

ISBN 13

9780691224992

The Myth of American Individualism

The Protestant Origins of American Political Thought

By: Barry Alan Shain

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Myth of American Individualism

The Protestant Origins of American Political Thought

By: Barry Alan Shain

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

415

Publisher

Princeton University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0691224994

ISBN 13

9780691224992

Screen World 2000

By: Barry Monush,John Willis

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Screen World 2000

By: Barry Monush,John Willis

John Willis' Screen World has become the definitive reference for any film library. Each volume includes every significant U.S. and international film released during that year as well as complete filmographies, capsule plot summaries, cast and characters, credits, production company, month released, rating, and running time. You'll also find biographical entries - a prices reference for over 2,000 living stars, including real name, school, place and date of birth. A comprehensive index makes this the finest film publication that any film lover could own. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

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Page Count

420

Publisher

Applause Theatre & Cinema

Published Date

ISBN 10

155783430X

ISBN 13

9781557834300

Book's by Barry Alan Shain

The Myth of American Individualism

The Myth of American Individualism

The Myth of American Individualism

The Myth of American Individualism

Screen World 2000

Screen World 2000

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