Abstract
Americans are justly proud of their tradition of representative government. In fact, America's is longest continuous representative government in existence. Ironically, it may be that, because of two hundred uninterrupted years of republic's existence, we take it for granted that we view its continuation as guaranteed. Although our republic has endured for more than two hundred years, it has not always existed in its present form, it has not always represented many people who now routinely view its protections and guarantees as birthrights. The unlanded masses, women, blacks and other minorities, all were for a great part of our history not represented in American body politic. Now all of these groups, at least legally speaking, are full participants in body politic and in public affairs of this country. This volume examines development of American notion of popular sovereignty from its colonial and revolutionary origins, from days of its severely restricted meaning through its progress toward inclusion of more of the people. Four distinguished commentators examine social and political developments that have accompanied growth and expansion of the will of people.
Published Version
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