Frederick Douglass and the American Political Tradition

Session Submission Type: Full Paper Panel

Session Description

The papers on this panel explore the political thought of Frederick Douglass and examine the significance of his contributions to the American political tradition. As an eloquent spokesperson for those who historically have been denied access to the nation’s promise of freedom and equality, Douglass emerged initially as a forceful critic of American institutions and political culture, often highlighting the nation’s hypocrisy and the wide gulf between its political principles and its political practice. But he evolved to be much more than a mere critic. Instead, he offered reassessments and reinterpretations of those core principles and, in the process, contributed to a better understanding and appreciation of American ideals. The papers on this panel analyze Douglass’ role as a constructively critical patriot who used the foundational materials of the American political tradition, especially the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, to reimagine the nation in ways that move it toward “a more perfect union.” They also underscore Douglass’ evolving perspective on the possibility of redeeming the United States, including events that led him to consider abandoning the country altogether. Presenters span disciplines – political science, history, philosophy, and law.

Sub Unit

• Division 56: American Political Thought

Individual Presentations

• A Long Cherished Desire: Frederick Douglass and His Emigrationist Dreams - Leslie Alexander

• Rethinking “Whose Fourth of July?” Douglass, Mills, & Radical Liberalism - Nicholas R. Buccola, Claremont McKenna College

• Dialectical Idealism and African American Philosophers of the 19th Century - Stephen C. Ferguson, North Carolina State University

• Constitutional Abolitionism - Bradley Rebeiro, University of Notre Dame

Chair

• James R. Zink North Carolina State University

Discussant

• Adam Seagrave Arizona State University