The Political Theory Of The American Founding: ... Apr 2026

Because individuals are naturally free, just government must be based on the consent of the governed .

A major contribution of West’s work is demonstrating how "liberal" rights and "republican" virtue are . The Moral Conditions of Freedom The Founders in Full - Claremont Review of Books The Political Theory of the American Founding: ...

West disputes the idea that the Founding was a "blend" of disparate elements. He argues that while the Founders valued common law and Protestantism, they only accepted these insofar as they supported natural rights. ⚖️ The Role of Virtue and Public Policy Because individuals are naturally free, just government must