Lysander Spooner: American Anarchist

by Steve J. Shone

Overview

Lysander Spooner: American Anarchist is the first book-length exposition of the ideas of the American anarchist and abolitionist who lived mostly in Boston, Massachusetts, from 1808 to 1887. Few people today are familiar with Spooner. Nonetheless, there are many interesting strands of original thought to be found in his works that have contemporary significance—for example his reflections on the need for jury nullification or his devastating critique of the social contract. Rediscovering Spooner today is no mere investigation of a bygone nineteenth century thinker, but rather a gateway to a brilliant and original scholar whose counsel should not be ignored.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739144503
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	05/25/2010
Pages:	138
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Steve J. Shone is assistant professor of political science at Winona State University

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Chapter 1: Natural Law, Private Mail, and Property
Chapter 3 Chapter 2: Poverty and Economics
Chapter 4 Chapter 3: Political Obligation
Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Jury Nullification
Chapter 6 Chapter 5: Slavery
Chapter 7 Chapter 6: Religion, Morality, and the Legal Profession
Chapter 8 Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Home-grown American anarchism, which is distinct from its European counterparts and which defies placement on the usual ideological spectrum, is one of the most neglected topics in American political thought. With this book, Steve Shone performs an important service by exploring the relationship of Lysander Spooner's thought not only to the American tradition, but to the broad stream of Western political theory. Shone demonstrates that Spooner is more than an historical figure of passing interest; he is a thinker who continues to challenge us. Spooner's ideas, as explicated and analyzed here, constitute a resource of ongoing political-philosophical value.

William F. Byrne

It is impossible to overrate Shone’s contribution in shining a light on the words and thoughts of Lysander Spooner. He demonstrates very effectively that Spooner’s writings deserve respectful appreciation alongside the other greats of political philosophy, from the ancient Greeks to the social contract theorists and even through to the advocates of natural law. Shone accomplishes his aim with extraordinary style, at every point capturing the intriguing spirit of Lysander Spooner as an icon of American anarchism, a fully developed ideology in its own right.

Brett S. Sharp

Shone's book is a varied and historically grounded exploration of the political views of Lysander Spooner, the 19th-century abolitionist and political writer. The volume is welcome, as it competently describes Spooner's intellectual contributions to his era's debates over property law, the constitutional powers of the federal government, jury nullification, and the ends and means of abolitionism....Summing Up: Recommended.

Choice Reviews

Shone's book is a varied and historically grounded exploration of the political views of Lysander Spooner, the 19th-century abolitionist and political writer. The volume is welcome, as it competently describes Spooner's intellectual contributions to his era's debates over property law, the constitutional powers of the federal government, jury nullification, and the ends and means of abolitionism....Summing Up: Recommended.

Choice

Shone's book is a varied and historically grounded exploration of the political views of Lysander Spooner, the 19th-century abolitionist and political writer. The volume is welcome, as it competently describes Spooner's intellectual contributions to his era's debates over property law, the constitutional powers of the federal government, jury nullification, and the ends and means of abolitionism....Summing Up: Recommended.

CHOICE