Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1993. [Vol. 1.] Eger Journal of American Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 21)

STUDIES - András Tamóc: The Politics of a Cast-Iron Man. John C. Calhoun and His Views on Government.

III. According to Harris, America stands for human rights, limited government and equal opportunity in political participation.

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1 The first ideal refers to the trinity of natural rights, the second tenet echoes the Jeffersonian definition of an authority "strong enough to protect people's natural rights, but too weak to take them away" and political participation is secured through a social contract. Having examined three elements of Calhoun's political philosophy these conclusions can be drawn. The author discarded the first component of the American ideal. For Calhoun, equality and human rights were privileges of the Southern ruling elite. His definition of "liberty" was contrary to the Enlightenment's interpretation. It was the freedom of the slave master to continue the system of captive labor, and the right of the state assembly to negate federal laws at its convenience. The Calhounian democracy as a solution to the Republican Dilemma corresponded to the outlines of limited government. Having grappled with the question of protecting a minority from a hostile majority, he found the elements of democracy, mainly a constitutional government, an adequate defense mechanism. His system of dual executives however, overstepped constitutional boundaries. Calhoun's restrictive view of political participation and placement of slavery on shaky biological foundations and his promotion of white supremacy and negro inferiority violated one of America's most cherished principles, equality. One of the Senator's best friends, Harriet Martineau characterized him as a "cast-iron man, who looks as if he had never been born or could never be extinguished".

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2 Although Calhoun's political philosophy seems to be devoid of feelings, he reared nine children. Despite Calhoun's vast 5

1 Ibid., p. 9. 5

2 Richard Hofstadter, The American Political Tradition (New York: W. W. Norton, 1965), p. 97. 112