Content area
Full Text
Songho Ha The Rise and Fall of the American System: Nationalism and the Development of the American Economy, 1790-1837, Pickering and Chatto (Publishers) Ltd: London, 2009, 184 pp.: ISBN: 978-1-85196-999-9
Songho Ha's book commences with an introduction to "What Was The American System?", followed by four main sections detailing the "Emergence of the American System, 1790-1815", "The Growth of the American System and Its Challenges, 1815-24", "Reform Mentalities and the Implementation of the American System, 1825-9", and "Decline of the American System, 1829- 37", rounded out by a concluding section on "The American System and American Society and Economy, 1790-1837".
The author's research plan proposes outlining in historical context a philosophy sought by key individuals during the early days of the Republic that would define what paths the emerging nation (The United States of America) should travel, and thus constitute a maturing philosophy for growth. The writer's plan follows various proposals put into play by several political players in the new nation toward institutional settlement, economic development, spiritual growth, and intellectual directions of the new American nation. Explaining the plans and policies pursued by these influential political actors who were determined to influence the directions of governance, economic development, defense building, and cultural growth, the author has researched a number of political, social, and economic dramas in examining several pathways representing proposed paradigms upon which the American nation would be developed.
The author has reviewed and included appropriate references to the research of several authorities on portions of the search for a paradigm embracing the early intellectual, economic, and political effort for the development of the nation.
Ha initially examines the views and efforts of early pioneers in the United States who could be considered authorities on, and participants in, the development of a framework for the new American System following forced independence from Great Britain. While not specifically so defining the emerging framework, the book points to all effort as initially political in nature. For example, each main participant during the period under review was a political actor either at the national level of government or at local levels, including state political systems and sectional entities, especially during the debate on the system of slavery. The American System that was emerging during the...