In this episode, Jay and Luke finish their discussion of Jay's new book, The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy. They focus on politics and policy during the Age of Jefferson and beyond.

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In this episode of Constitutionally Speaking, Jay and Luke continue their discussion of Jay's new book, The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy. Here, we see that Madison and Hamilton began to diverge over big policy ideas. Hamilton believed that his economic program was necessary for the prosperity, and ultimately the national security of the country. Madison, on the other hand, reckoned that Hamilton's system was too favorable in how it treated the wealthy, and also worried that it facilitated political corruption.

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In this episode of Constitutionally Speaking, Jay and Luke discuss Jay's new book, The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy. Jay's book focuses on why these two great founding fathers and onetime allies became political enemies. He argues that it was because while they agreed on what was wrong with the Articles of Confederation, they had vast views of what should come next. Hamilton's financial system was an ingenious way to spur national development, but it violated Madison's conception of how a republic should function.

Recommended Readings:

Join the conversation and comment on this podcast episode: https://ricochet.com/podcast/constitutionally-speaking/price-greatness-part-one/.

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In this episode of Constitutionally Speaking, Jay and Luke examine the first session of the First Congress, which met from the spring through the fall of 1789. One of the most productive legislative assemblies in American history, this session submitted the Bill of Rights to the states, created the first national tax, established the major cabinet departments, and began to set up the judiciary. At this early stage of the government, James Madison emerged as the key agent in Congress. While there is a broad consensus in favor of Federalism at this point, there are early indications of the coming ideological divisions that would define the 1790s.

Recommended Readings:

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In this episode of Constitutionally Speaking, Jay and Luke finish their discussion of the ratification debates with a look at Virginia and New York. Two of the most important states in the union, the Old Dominion and the Empire State were hardly enthusiastic supporters of the Constitution. In Virginia, major political figures like Richard Henry Lee, George Mason, and Patrick Henry opposed it, while the delegates at the convention were closely divided. In New York, Governor George Clinton and his political allies staunchly opposed it, and the ratification convention was dominated by Anti-Federalists. Ultimately, James Madison outmatched Henry in the Virginia convention in June 1788, narrowly securing ratification, which put enough pressure on New York to accede to the new government in July.

Recommended Readings:

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In this week's episode of Constitutionally Speaking, Jay and Luke continue their discussion of ratification. First up, New Hampshire, the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, thereby making it the law of the land. But the Granite State only ratified after a substantial delay, so delegates could persuade their constituents to support it. North Carolina and Rhode Island held out until after the government already came into operation, with the latter state waiting until threat of extreme penalties from the federal government.

Recommended Readings:

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