A DEFENCE OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF A. VOLUME III - Tecno-Libro

in this third and final volume of A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, John Adams brings to a close his lengthy argument against collecting all authority into one center. By first continuing his exposition of the italian republics of the middle age, Adams acutely demonstrates the disharmony and upheaval that result from governments being improperly balanced. He then turns to theory, beginning with the letter of Padua and extending into a detailed refutation of the writings of Marchamont Nedham. Against this backdrop of history and human experience, Adams is at his very best, pouring forth his timeless wisdom in defense of mixed and balanced governments and of the American constitutions. The best republics will be virtuous, and have been so. but we may hazard a conjecture, that the virtues have been the effect of the well-ordered constitution, rather than the cause. it is indeed a most