I am surprised by the interest I am apparently sustaining in reading Saul Cornell’s book The Other Founders: Anti-Federalism and the Dissenting Tradition in America, 1788-1828.
One thing I am learning a bit about is whig republicanism, a movement that probably (if I knew anything) can be dated between roughly 1660 to 1820 in the USA and UK. It is pre-romantic but post-divine right. Something about meritocracy combining with disinterested civil duty. Natural leaders leading the three classes with respect for the roles of each of the three classes. They never fully organized in the UK and never really led the American revolution but heralded the transition to democracy…sort of…I think.
Anyone know more about the whigs and can you recommend any reading?