The Idea of a Party System: The Rise of Legitimate Opposition in the United States, 1780-1840

Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. Near Fine with No dust jacket as issued. 1969. First Paperback Edition. Eleventh Printing. Soft Cover. 0520017544 . Publisher's glossy wraps. This work traces the historical processes in thought by which American political leaders slowly edged away from their complete philosophical rejection of a party and hesitantly began to embrace a party system. In the author's words, "The emergence of legitimate party opposition and of a theory of politics that accepted it was something new in the history of the world; it required a bold new act of understanding on the part of its contemporaries and it still requires study on our part." Professor Hofstadter's analysis of the idea of party and the development of legitimate opposition offers fresh insights into the political crisis of 1797-1801, on the thought of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, Martin Van Buren, and other leading figures, and on the beginnings of modern democratic politics.. The volume is in perfect condition, unmarked, unread, tight, square, and clean. Remainder marks on top edge. NEAR FINE.. Jefferson Memorial Lectures Series. 12mo 7" - 7½" tall. 280 pp .