num_pages: 368
description: In A Necessary Evil, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Wills shows that distrust of government is embedded deep in the American psyche. From the revolt of the colonies against king &amp; parliament to present-day tax revolts, militia movements &amp; term limits debates, he shows that American antigovernment sentiment is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of history. By debunking myths about the Founding Fathers, the Constitution &amp; the taming of the frontier, he shows how tendencies to hold our elected government in disdain are misguided.1 Revolutionary myths. MinutemenTerm limits 2 Constitutional myths. Sovereign statesChecking efficiency Co-equal branches The uses of factionBill of Rights No standing army3 Nullifiers. John Taylor of Caroline: father of nullificationJefferson: prophet of nullificationMadison: abettor of nullificationNullification North: Hartford ConventionNullification South: John C. CalhounAcademic nullifiers4 Seceders. Civil War5 Insurrectionists. From Daniel Shays to Timothy McVeighAcdemic insurrectionists6 Vigilantes. Groups: from regulators to clinic bombingsIndividuals: frontierIndividuals: NRA7 Withdrawers. Individuals: from Thoreau to MenckenGroups: from Brook Farm to hippie communes8 Disobeyers. From Dr King to SDS9 A necessary good. The uses of governmentThe uses of fear
language: English
title: A Necessary Evil: A History of American Distrust of Government
titlecomplete: A Necessary Evil: A History of American Distrust of Government
genres: History, American History, Politics, Political Science, Nonfiction, Government
ratings_count: 178
publisher: Simon & Schuster (NYC)