Description

Alexander Hamilton was America’s most important Founding Father after Washington. What were the main features of his political economy? Many Jeffersonian libertarians today deride him as a statist – whether as a “monarchist,” mercantilist, protectionist, nationalist, erector of “central banking,” or proponent of “strong government” – and thus reject him as a proper guide in modern times. Modern liberals concur, but champion Hamilton as an authoritative legitimizer of the mixed-economy corporatist state; yet anti-corporate critics today also associate Hamilton’s approach with “plutocracy.” In truth Hamilton is an Enlightened, classical liberal, a more consistent champion of rights and liberty than any other Founder, thus an inspiring model for contemporary friends of liberty.

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hamilton alexander hamilton founding father liberalism classical liberal jefferson thomas jefferson Duke University history american history politics american politics north carolina john locke foundation liberty libertarian Richard Salsman