| The Political Philosophy of Benjamin Franklin (The Political Philosophy of the American Founders) |  | Author: Lorraine Smith Pangle
Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press
Category: Book
List Price: $22.95
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Media: Paperback
Pages: 296
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 080188666X
Dewey Decimal Number: 320.092
EAN: 9780801886669
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Product Description
The most famous man of his age, Benjamin Franklin was an individual of many talents and accomplishments. He invented the wood-burning stove and the lightning rod, he wrote Poor Richard's Almanac and The Way to Wealth, and he traveled the world as a diplomat. But it was in politics that Franklin made his greatest impact. Franklin's political writings are full of fascinating reflections on human nature, on the character of good leadership, and on why government is such a messy and problematic business. Drawing together threads in Franklin's writings, Lorraine Smith Pangle illuminates his thoughts on citizenship, federalism, constitutional government, the role of civil associations, and religious freedom. Of the American Founders, Franklin had an unrivaled understanding of the individual human soul. At the heart of his political vision is a view of democratic citizenship, a rich understanding of the qualities of the heart and mind necessary to support liberty and sustain happiness. This concise introduction reflects Franklin's valuable insight into political issues that continue to be relevant today.
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| Customer Reviews:
Pangle gets Franklin right on every count April 27, 2008
M. Skousen (New York, New York)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Ben Franklin is the subject of more diverse book titles than any other founder: There's Franklin the entrepreneur, the scientist, the inventor, the revolutionary, the public servant, the diplomat, the humorist, the ladies' man, the writer, the publicist, etc. And now, finally, there's Franklin the Philosopher. As Lorraine Smith Pangle states, "It was politics that Franklin made the greatest impact and to politics that he gave the lion's share of his energies. Thus, it is curious that so little has been given to his political thought."
Perhaps, she says, it was the fact that he was a disorganized genius. He never wrote a political treatise, yet Franklin wrote "fascinating reflections on human nature and the character of good leadership." She concludes that Franklin had an unrivaled understanding of the individual human soul.
What I like about Professor Pangle's book is her beauty of exposition. Her book is a delight to read from cover to cover, and I found myself underlining passages on practically every page. Most professors of philosophy write in legalize -- tedious, dense prose -- and are prisoners of some neglected philosopher. Fortunately, Pangle is not a professor of philosophy, but of political science, and her writing is, well, like Franklin's, always intelligent and fertile.
You can tell from the very first chapter that she is fascinated with her subject. In "The Economic Basis of Liberty," she discovers Franklin's exceptional defense of the commercial society and the profit motive, and his rejection of the austere rural life of Aristotle and the Greek hierarchy. As the ultimate successful Yankee merchant, Franklin embraces moneymaking as a positive good, not a necessary evil, that can lead to good citizenship. Moreover, good citizenship can be achieved by all, not just the wealthy aristocrats, by following the virtues outlined by The Autobiography. Franklin is a supporter of the "invisible hand" doctrine of Adam Smith.
I also especially liked chapter 3 on "Philanthropy and Civil Associations," where Pangle introduces Franklin's vision of the ideal business entrepreneur who seeks more than financial independence, but becomes a promoter of public causes, a "tireless supporter of volunteer organizations and philanthropic projects."
In chapter 3, I was intrigued by Pangle's discussion of Franklin's libertarian instincts when it came to military command. Pangle notes: "Although he willingly did his part as a common soldier, he had no taste for a good fight, no love of danger, no attraction to the glories of heroic self-overcoming. So much did he hate tyranny and love liberty, reason, and gentle persuasion that he could not see the need for military discipline." Franklin wanted an egalitarian military based on faithful service and love rather than hate and fear!
In chapter 4, Pangle outlines Franklin's style of government rule. He wanted cheap but powerful government. He once said, "A virtuous and laborious [industrious] people may be cheaply governed." He hated all the bureaucrat rules of competing rulers. He wanted a limited but vigorous how-to federalism. No doubt he would have supported the Hamilton financial plan, although he opposed big government and a welfare state. He wanted small but effective government.
Pangle rightly points out that Franklin "was among the first Americans to call for independence" (a common error by historians who say that Franklin was a reluctant revolutionary who held back his call for independence until the last moment.) She also notes correctly that Franklin almost single-handedly financed the American Revolution (through deft diplomacy in France) and as a result, precipitated the French Revolution a decade later (France went bankrupt because of its excessive funding of America).
Pangle's final chapter is on "The Ultimate Questions," including Franklin's religious views, and here again, Pangle gets it right when she notes how Franklin gradually shifted ground from being a secular humanist to an active theist, albeit a skeptical one, and a firm believer in religious freedom.
I recommend this book without reservation, and after reading this tour de force, I look forward to reading all her books, both past and present.
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