A Civilized Nation: The Early American Constitution, the Law of Nations, and the Pursuit of International Recognition

129 Pages Posted: 31 Aug 2010 Last revised: 16 Sep 2010

See all articles by David M. Golove

David M. Golove

New York University School of Law

Daniel J. Hulsebosch

New York University School of Law

Date Written: August 31, 2010

Abstract

This article argues, contrary to conventional accounts, that the animating purpose of the American Constitution was to facilitate the admission of the new nation into the European-centered community of “civilized states.” Achieving international recognition - which entailed legal and practical acceptance on an equal footing - was a major aspiration of the founding generation from 1776 through at least the Washington administration in the 1790s, and constitution-making was a key means of realizing that goal. Their experience under the Articles of Confederation led many Americans to conclude that adherence to treaties and the law of nations was a prerequisite to full recognition, but that popular sovereignty, at least as it had been exercised at the state level, threatened to derail the nation’s prospects. When designing the federal Constitution, the framers therefore innovated upon republicanism in a way that balanced their dual commitments to popular sovereignty and earning international respect. The result was a novel and systematic set of constitutional devices designed to ensure that the nation would comply with treaties and the law of nations. These devices, which generally sought to insulate officials responsible for ensuring compliance with the law of nations from popular politics, also signaled to foreign governments the seriousness of the nation’s commitment. At the same time, however, the framers recognized that the participation of the most popular branch in some contexts - most importantly, with respect to the question of war or peace - would be the most effective mechanism for both safeguarding the interests of the people and achieving the Enlightenment aims of the law of nations. After ratification, the founding generation continued to construct the Constitution with an eye toward earning and retaining international recognition, while avoiding the ever-present prospect of war. This anxious and cosmopolitan context is absent from modern understandings of American constitution-making.

Keywords: constitutional law, international law, legal history

Suggested Citation

Golove, David M. and Hulsebosch, Daniel J., A Civilized Nation: The Early American Constitution, the Law of Nations, and the Pursuit of International Recognition (August 31, 2010). New York University Law Review, Forthcoming, NYU School of Law, Public Law Research Paper No. 10-58, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1669452

David M. Golove (Contact Author)

New York University School of Law ( email )

40 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012-1099
United States

Daniel J. Hulsebosch

New York University School of Law ( email )

40 Washington Square South
503
New York, NY 10012-1099
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
743
Abstract Views
6,339
Rank
63,111
PlumX Metrics