Program: PPD
Dates: 9/11/2023
"Reading the Federalist Papers”
Instructor: David Frisk, Ph.D., Resident Fellow, AHI
Contact the Alexander Hamilton Institute in Clinton to register
In this class, we will carefully study a combination of the most important Federalist Papers
and the ones that seem most relevant today. Please read the Federalist Papers slowly and with
care. Each week, I will e-mail you a glossary that explains the meanings of words and phrases
that, due to differences in 18th century vocabulary and style, may be unclear.
The additional readings by other authors, which will be sent in a timely manner each week,
are required as well. They explain the author's views on that part of The Federalist and its
themes. Sometimes they also comment on whether, and how, Publius's analysis remains
valid in our political world today. The question of current validity will be also included to
an extent in my short lectures, and I hope it will be a significant part of our discussion.
We are using the Dover Thrift Edition of the Federalist Papers. (If you wish to use another
edition, that's fine-but allow for the fact that items we discuss may well have a different
page number.) Please bring the Federalist Papers-and, if possible, printouts