An excellent introduction to the author. I think I'll have to look up his book. His preview of Hamilton's impact on the new government fits well with my own readings of that time.
Txs for posting.

i started all my children on Aristotle,Locke and Hume...rights are the same as the eyes, toes, etc you are born with...not privileges granted by the state...

Slightly easier to read w/o the highlighting: http://atlassociety.org/commentary/co...

Hamilton said the US Constitution would prevent factions fighting. I think he meant armed conflict rather than than fighting for a piece of the gov't budget, but either way we ended up with both. According to this article, once in office Hamilton began expanding gov't powers, contrary to his claim that that wouldn't happen. It make me wonder if a strong central gov't isn't a mistake. I think the concept of the nation state worked for the centuries when roads connected cities but geographical barriers impeded trade and communication but is questionable when value and ideas travel around the world at no cost.