Robert W. Hoffert - A Politics of Tensions: The Articles of Confederation and American Political Ideas

The dialogues that give coherence to a political tradition often appear to be parasitic. It can be difficult to know whose ideas are the sources of energy and whose ideas have energy simply because they have captured it from others. In my own case, I feel little ambiguity. I am overwhelmed by a sense of my dependency on the discoveries and insights of others. Paradoxically, the process of shaping my own views has shown me more clearly how profoundly indebted I am.

Nevertheless, I will be brief in my specific acknowledgments. There are teachers. I am especially grateful to David Ricci, William Muehl, and Werner Dannhauser for their distinctive political perspectives and for their generous support and encouragement. Eldon Eisenach masterfully enriched my own sense of the varied voices of American politics. As a teacher and friend, he simultaneously clarified and bewildered, inviting me to grow.

There are students. More than a decade of undergraduate students at Colorado State University were especially helpful. It was their patience and curiosity that helped me begin talking about ideas and interpretations central to this book.

There are professional colleagues and personal friends. Alan Lamborn, Wayne Peak, and John Straayer have made special efforts to nurture a supportive, yet stimulating, academic workplace. Tom Knight's rich and innovative perspectives were especially helpful in revitalizing my efforts during times of doubt. Jim Hardy, the "Brit" who never let me see simply American politics or American politics simply, strongly encouraged me to initiate this project. And thanks to Paul Stoecker for technical help, to the anonymous reviewers for the University Press of Colorado, and to Jody Berman and Gail Reitenbach for the sound judgment and thoughtfulness they brought to the editing of this book.