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The American Democrat
When The American Democrat was first published in 1838, Cooper’s position as America’s first major novelist obscured his serious contribution to the discussion of American principles and politics. “Yet Cooper,” says H. L. Mencken, “was probably the first American to write about Americans in the really frank spirit . . . a simple, sound and sensible tract, moderate in tone and extraordinarily astute in its conclusions.” Cooper provides a concise statement of the principles of American democracy and of its social ramifications. He was concerned that these principles and our institutions would be perverted–especially by the confusion of an equality of rights with equality of condition.
279 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1838
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About the author
James Fenimore Cooper
4,638 books1,115 followersJames Fenimore Cooper was a popular and prolific American writer. He is best known for his historical novel The Last of the Mohicans, one of the Leatherstocking Tales stories, and he also wrote political fiction, maritime fiction, travelogues, and essays on the American politics of the time. His daughter Susan Fenimore Cooper was also a writer.
Series:
* The Leatherstocking Tales
* The Littlepage Manuscripts
* Afloat and Ashore
* Homeward Bound
Series:
* The Leatherstocking Tales
* The Littlepage Manuscripts
* Afloat and Ashore
* Homeward Bound
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 7, 2011
This is a review only of The American Democrat. I read a different edition, but can't find it on Goodreads.
I read The American Democrat mostly because I had just read an excellent book on the long-dead American Whig Party--which, in James Fenimore Cooper's time, was one of the two major political parties in America and the Democrat Party's chief opponent--and hoped that The American Democrat would prove similarly helpful in explaining the 19th-century Democrats.
I was wrong. The fact that "Democrat" is capitalized in the title prevented me from realizing that Cooper meant "democrat," not "Democrat," and by "democrat," he meant nothing more than a supporter of democracy. The book has nothing at all to say about any specific party, and only occasionally discusses political parties in general (negatively).
The American Democrat is two things: an attempt to explain the American political system as it was originally designed, with comparisons of representative democracy to monarchy, aristocracy and mob rule (which, at the time of the book's writing, American democracy was degenerating into); and a relatively scattershot collection of Cooper's observations on American society at that point. I understand that the book was meant to be a primer on American democracy.
The first half of the book, being the analysis of democracy in America, is interesting but unnecessarily long-winded and somewhat boring at times; Cooper does not write with great focus or succinctness, at least in this book. If the book was indeed meant as a primer, the first half does sound like one.
The second half, being Cooper's critique of Americans and the shortcomings of how they practice(d) democracy, is far more interesting; it alone is why you should want to own the book. American democracy was degenerating into mob rule (exactly what the Founding Fathers feared), with insufficient regard for the virtue and wisdom necessary to make democracy successful, and with demagogues manipulating the passions of the common man in order to gain power and prestige. (Cooper does not name any names.)
The edition of The American Democrat that I read--and this edition, according to other reviewers, contains two introductions, one by H.L. Mencken. Mencken's introduction is arguably as valuable as the book itself and is written more succinctly to boot. Mencken bluntly and cynically makes some of the same points Fenimore makes, as well as offering some thoughts of his own, such as the haunting "The Civil War blew the Old Republic to pieces."
I read The American Democrat mostly because I had just read an excellent book on the long-dead American Whig Party--which, in James Fenimore Cooper's time, was one of the two major political parties in America and the Democrat Party's chief opponent--and hoped that The American Democrat would prove similarly helpful in explaining the 19th-century Democrats.
I was wrong. The fact that "Democrat" is capitalized in the title prevented me from realizing that Cooper meant "democrat," not "Democrat," and by "democrat," he meant nothing more than a supporter of democracy. The book has nothing at all to say about any specific party, and only occasionally discusses political parties in general (negatively).
The American Democrat is two things: an attempt to explain the American political system as it was originally designed, with comparisons of representative democracy to monarchy, aristocracy and mob rule (which, at the time of the book's writing, American democracy was degenerating into); and a relatively scattershot collection of Cooper's observations on American society at that point. I understand that the book was meant to be a primer on American democracy.
The first half of the book, being the analysis of democracy in America, is interesting but unnecessarily long-winded and somewhat boring at times; Cooper does not write with great focus or succinctness, at least in this book. If the book was indeed meant as a primer, the first half does sound like one.
The second half, being Cooper's critique of Americans and the shortcomings of how they practice(d) democracy, is far more interesting; it alone is why you should want to own the book. American democracy was degenerating into mob rule (exactly what the Founding Fathers feared), with insufficient regard for the virtue and wisdom necessary to make democracy successful, and with demagogues manipulating the passions of the common man in order to gain power and prestige. (Cooper does not name any names.)
The edition of The American Democrat that I read--and this edition, according to other reviewers, contains two introductions, one by H.L. Mencken. Mencken's introduction is arguably as valuable as the book itself and is written more succinctly to boot. Mencken bluntly and cynically makes some of the same points Fenimore makes, as well as offering some thoughts of his own, such as the haunting "The Civil War blew the Old Republic to pieces."
January 3, 2012
I have always been a fan of James Fenimore Cooper. From my high school days, a young boy in search of adventures in reading, found Natty Bumppo to be an interesting character. Cooper was perhaps America's first nature writer, for he embraced the outdoor adventure.
Although I confess to not reading the whole Leatherstocking Series, I have read other material by Cooper, most notably Billy Budd, one of my favorite novellas. Another Cooper writing I came across was The American Democrat. I found the title to be interesting, and I thought it would be good to get some thoughts from someone who lived around the time of the early years of our Republic and to read their thoughts on all matters America.
Cooper covers a bevy of topics ranging from the duties of people and politicians to the advantages and disadvantages of monarchies, aristocracies, and democracies. You do not have to be a political geek to enjoy this book. He also talks about slavery, individuality, and equality.
Also, don't be fooled by the title, the word Democrat is a bit misleading. In fact, if Cooper were alive today my bet is that he would be conservative or libertarian.
One final note, he makes an interesting observation. He says that politicians with no principles are more likely to make knee jerk decisions, which ultimately hurt the republic in the long run. Interesting!
Although I confess to not reading the whole Leatherstocking Series, I have read other material by Cooper, most notably Billy Budd, one of my favorite novellas. Another Cooper writing I came across was The American Democrat. I found the title to be interesting, and I thought it would be good to get some thoughts from someone who lived around the time of the early years of our Republic and to read their thoughts on all matters America.
Cooper covers a bevy of topics ranging from the duties of people and politicians to the advantages and disadvantages of monarchies, aristocracies, and democracies. You do not have to be a political geek to enjoy this book. He also talks about slavery, individuality, and equality.
Also, don't be fooled by the title, the word Democrat is a bit misleading. In fact, if Cooper were alive today my bet is that he would be conservative or libertarian.
One final note, he makes an interesting observation. He says that politicians with no principles are more likely to make knee jerk decisions, which ultimately hurt the republic in the long run. Interesting!
December 17, 2022
Great book!
I found about 90% of the book to have stood the test of time after close to two centuries. There is much here still relevant, incisive, and cautionary for our times. I have marked so many passages for quoting that I am flatly despairing of dealing with them all here in a brief review. This book would be an excellent reference for starting discussions or giving pithy summations of topics for a government, civics, or politics class. I really would have rated it five star but for a handful of chapters. It's telling that the edition I read had a very favorable introduction from no other than that notorious skeptic and gadfly H. L. Mencken
A few places I diverge from Cooper's views, which are generally spot on:
It is not surprising to find a man of letters has so much to say "On Language"--and there is certainly much to say regarding the intersection of words and democracy. But to listen to his declamation about the proper pronunciation and the proper emphasis of various random words is rather like the armchair rantings of an old man. These are not substantial word roles, but pedantry.
Fully 1/3 of the chapter "On Civilization" deals with food, a provoking but surprising allotment.
Unsurprisingly, his section on slavery will not satisfy anyone of this day and age. While he makes some important points and forecasts the necessity of its end, he also expresses the benign paternalistic view of its nature.
I found about 90% of the book to have stood the test of time after close to two centuries. There is much here still relevant, incisive, and cautionary for our times. I have marked so many passages for quoting that I am flatly despairing of dealing with them all here in a brief review. This book would be an excellent reference for starting discussions or giving pithy summations of topics for a government, civics, or politics class. I really would have rated it five star but for a handful of chapters. It's telling that the edition I read had a very favorable introduction from no other than that notorious skeptic and gadfly H. L. Mencken
A few places I diverge from Cooper's views, which are generally spot on:
It is not surprising to find a man of letters has so much to say "On Language"--and there is certainly much to say regarding the intersection of words and democracy. But to listen to his declamation about the proper pronunciation and the proper emphasis of various random words is rather like the armchair rantings of an old man. These are not substantial word roles, but pedantry.
Fully 1/3 of the chapter "On Civilization" deals with food, a provoking but surprising allotment.
Unsurprisingly, his section on slavery will not satisfy anyone of this day and age. While he makes some important points and forecasts the necessity of its end, he also expresses the benign paternalistic view of its nature.
November 28, 2018
An insight into the mindset of early American culture and politics. Every high school student should read this at some point to understand what early Americans believed; or at least what this one prominent early American author believed and thought how true American democrats would behave and think.
April 4, 2023
Other than the author's views on slavery, this was quite a thought-provoking book. Much that Cooper writes is prophetic regarding problems faced by 21st century America.
Read
August 4, 2008High time to read it. So far the best part of the book is the introduction by H.L Mencken, written in 1938 (on the 100th anniversary of the book's publication).
From the introduction to the first edition, written by Cooper himself:
"Notions that are impracticable, and which if persevered in, cannot fail to produce disorganization, if not revolution, are widely prevalent, and while many seem disposed to complain, few show a disposition to correct them."
Cooper is out to correct the impracticable notions of his time, which strangely enough seem to be many of the same as those of our time.
"The work is written more in the spirit of censure than of praise, for its aim is correction; and virtues bring their own reward, while errors are dangerous."
From the introduction to the first edition, written by Cooper himself:
"Notions that are impracticable, and which if persevered in, cannot fail to produce disorganization, if not revolution, are widely prevalent, and while many seem disposed to complain, few show a disposition to correct them."
Cooper is out to correct the impracticable notions of his time, which strangely enough seem to be many of the same as those of our time.
"The work is written more in the spirit of censure than of praise, for its aim is correction; and virtues bring their own reward, while errors are dangerous."
July 6, 2009
Sort-of a "crotchety old conservative" view of America before there were crotchety old conservatives.
Cooper is rightly considered an "American Tocqueville", given his concerns about the tyranny of the majority and the tendency of individuals to go along with public opinion, rather than things like truth and justice. Cooper argues that to oppose this tendency, we need to develop our morality, "deportment", manners, kindness, and civilization. Only then will the mob become citizens and the popular sentiment become good government.
Worth reading for those interested in politics, worth skimming for everyone else.
Cooper is rightly considered an "American Tocqueville", given his concerns about the tyranny of the majority and the tendency of individuals to go along with public opinion, rather than things like truth and justice. Cooper argues that to oppose this tendency, we need to develop our morality, "deportment", manners, kindness, and civilization. Only then will the mob become citizens and the popular sentiment become good government.
Worth reading for those interested in politics, worth skimming for everyone else.
April 26, 2010
Just remembered this was on my shelf and I'd be curious to read it again--my first take was that he was picky and fretful over insignificant nothings...wonder if my opinion would change? Who knows.
Read
September 23, 2010"AMERICAN DEMOCRAT, THE by James Fenimore Cooper (1981)"
March 12, 2013
Although not the easiest of reads, he offer a fair and concise description of democracy and politics in its many forms.
September 18, 2015
The more things change the more they stay the same.
Take out some of the particulars and this book could have been written in 2015.
Take out some of the particulars and this book could have been written in 2015.
May 13, 2016
Great insights into Cooper's views of government and American society in the early 1800s.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews