A Republic of Men

The American Founders, Gendered Language, and Patriarchal Politics

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory
Cover of the book A Republic of Men by Mark E. Kann, NYU Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mark E. Kann ISBN: 9780814748473
Publisher: NYU Press Publication: April 1, 1998
Imprint: NYU Press Language: English
Author: Mark E. Kann
ISBN: 9780814748473
Publisher: NYU Press
Publication: April 1, 1998
Imprint: NYU Press
Language: English

What role did manhood play in early American Politics? In A Republic of Men, Mark E. Kann argues that the American founders aspired to create a "republic of men" but feared that "disorderly men" threatened its birth, health, and longevity. Kann demonstrates how hegemonic norms of manhood–exemplified by "the Family Man," for instance--were deployed as a means of stigmatizing unworthy men, rewarding responsible men with citizenship, and empowering exceptional men with positions of leadership and authority, while excluding women from public life.
Kann suggests that the founders committed themselves in theory to the democratic proposition that all men were created free and equal and could not be governed without their own consent, but that they in no way believed that "all men" could be trusted with equal liberty, equal citizenship, or equal authority. The founders developed a "grammar of manhood" to address some difficult questions about public order. Were America's disorderly men qualified for citizenship? Were they likely to recognize manly leaders, consent to their authority, and defer to their wisdom? A Republic of Men compellingly analyzes the ways in which the founders used a rhetoric of manhood to stabilize American politics.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

What role did manhood play in early American Politics? In A Republic of Men, Mark E. Kann argues that the American founders aspired to create a "republic of men" but feared that "disorderly men" threatened its birth, health, and longevity. Kann demonstrates how hegemonic norms of manhood–exemplified by "the Family Man," for instance--were deployed as a means of stigmatizing unworthy men, rewarding responsible men with citizenship, and empowering exceptional men with positions of leadership and authority, while excluding women from public life.
Kann suggests that the founders committed themselves in theory to the democratic proposition that all men were created free and equal and could not be governed without their own consent, but that they in no way believed that "all men" could be trusted with equal liberty, equal citizenship, or equal authority. The founders developed a "grammar of manhood" to address some difficult questions about public order. Were America's disorderly men qualified for citizenship? Were they likely to recognize manly leaders, consent to their authority, and defer to their wisdom? A Republic of Men compellingly analyzes the ways in which the founders used a rhetoric of manhood to stabilize American politics.

More books from NYU Press

Cover of the book Media Franchising by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Women and Community in Oman by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Designing Democratic Institutions by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Heartland TV by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Drawn to the Gods by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Shutting Down the Streets by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Representing Youth by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book In Pursuit of Right and Justice by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Keywords for American Cultural Studies, Second Edition by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book The Trans Generation by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Children's Nature by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book The Deepest South by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Tierra y Libertad by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Facing the Rising Sun by Mark E. Kann
Cover of the book Indentations and Other Stories by Mark E. Kann
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy