The Imperial Republic: A Structural History of American Constitutionalism

The Imperial Republic, a title first published in 2002, examines the enduring relationship between the American constitution and the concept of empire. Early activists frequently used the word to describe the nation they wished to create through revolution and later reform. Utilizing the author's extensive research from colonial times to the turn of the twentieth century, the book concludes that imperial ambition has profoundly influenced American constitutional law, theory, and politics.

The book examines what the Framers of the Constitution meant when they used the term empire and what such self-conscious empire building tells Americans about the underlying goals of their constitutional system. It uses several analytical techniques to ascertain the multiple meanings of such fundamental words as empire and republic, demonstrating that these concepts have at least four levels of meaning.

Relying on numerous examples, the book further concludes that American leaders frequently (even proudly) used the word "empire" with some of its most domineering implications. This title addresses the enduring relationship that the American constitution has with the concept of empire, shedding light on the underlying goals of the nation's constitutional system.

The author's extensive research, spanning from colonial times to the turn of the twentieth century, has informed the book's analysis. The book examines how imperial ambition has profoundly influenced American constitutional law, theory, and politics, and how the Framers' use of the term "empire" reveals insights about the nation's foundational aspirations.

Through a multi-layered approach, the book unravels the complex and nuanced meanings associated with the terms "empire" and "republic," illuminating the ways in which these concepts have been understood and employed by American leaders throughout the country's history. The book's findings suggest that the pursuit of imperial power has been a driving force in shaping the trajectory of American constitutional development and political discourse.

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