The Princeton History of American Political Thought

The ultimate guide to the thinkers and ideas that have shaped the United States, featuring essential primary sources introduced by leading scholars

The Princeton History of American Political Thought showcases the defining voices and debates in U.S. political history, spanning from the 1600s to the present. Each set of primary sources is accompanied by a short, accessible essay by a leading scholar, situating the writings in a broader American conversation about what the nation is, has been, and could be. Without shying away from the disagreements that have shaped the nation, the book shows how these controversies have played out within a broadly consistent set of questions, commitments, and concerns. The result captures the diversity, depth, and power of the American political tradition.

An essential reference, The Princeton History of American Political Thought is not just for scholars and students but for anyone who seeks to understand the United States: its past, its present, and its future possibilities.

• Features short primary sources that range from the 1600s to the present
• Includes accessible introductions and essays about each set of sources, written by leading experts
• Showcases the wide variety of perspectives that characterize the American political tradition