EconTalk

Ellis on American Creation and the Founding

EconTalk

Joseph Ellis, of Mt. Holyoke College and author of American Creation, talks about the triumphs and tragedies of the founding of the United States. His goal in the book and in this podcast is to tell a story for grownups rather than for children, where the Founders are neither saints nor evil white, patriarchal slave-holding demons. It is a nuanced story of triumph--a military victory over a seemingly unbeatable vastly more experienced army, the creation of the first geographically large republic, a nation without a state religion, a nation that creates a party system with a loyal opposition, a Constitution with the virtues of ambiguous sovereignty, and tragedy--the failure to resolve the slavery issue, and the tragic conflict with the Native Americans. Some of these outcomes were intended by the Founders, others emerged unintended.

Next Episodes

EconTalk

Rauch on the Volt, Risk, and Corporate Culture @ EconTalk

📆 2008-09-01 08:30 / 00:58:01


EconTalk

Roberts on the Price of Everything @ EconTalk

📆 2008-08-25 08:30 / 01:03:47


EconTalk

John Taylor on Monetary Policy @ EconTalk

📆 2008-08-18 08:30 / 00:54:30


EconTalk

Bueno de Mesquita on Iran and Threats to U.S. Security @ EconTalk

📆 2008-08-11 08:30 / 01:01:14


EconTalk

Robert Barro on Disasters @ EconTalk

📆 2008-08-04 08:30 / 01:04:31