A republic of men
Subtitle: the American founders, gendered language, and patriarchal politics
By: Mark E. Kann.
Publisher: New York University Press
Published: 1998
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 238
Subjects: Political culture -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Political science -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Men -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Patriarchy -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Sex role -- United States -- History -- 18th century; Social role -- United States -- History -- 18th century
Description: What role did manhood play in early American politics? In A Republic of Men, Mark E. Kann argues that the American founders aspired to create a "republic of men" but feared that "disorderly men" threatened its birth, health, and longevity.

Kann demonstrates how hegemonic norms of manhood - exemplified by "the Family Man," for instance - were deployed as a means of stigmatizing unworthy men, rewarding responsible men with citizenship, and empowering exceptional men with positions of leadership and authority, while excluding women from public life.

A Republic of Men compellingly analyzes the ways in which the founders used the language of manhood to stabilize early American politics by reestablishing order in the ranks of men and reinforcing men's patriarchal prerogative over women.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-229) and index.
Table of contents: title: The culture of manhood; title: The grammar of manhood; title: The bachelor and other disorderly men; title: The family man and citizenship; title: The better sort and leadership; title: The heroic man and national destiny; title: The founders' gendered legacy.