![]() ![]() from Michigan State University’s James Madison College in 2000. His research interests focus on the American founding and Enlightenment political thought. Rasmussen is a professor of political science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. ![]() Today’s political turmoil, Rasmussen explains, is reminiscent of America’s early days. Rasmussen hopes that highlighting the founders’ concerns about America’s future will illustrate how historical quarrels shed light on our present political climate. Thomas Jefferson wasn't wrong, either: his fear of slavery dividing the United States by region came true during the American Civil War. John Adams too was right: the lack of civic engagement is a perennial complaint in America. ![]() Whether it’s the public voting in general elections or the House or Senate voting on bills to become law, the contrast by party lines has never been clearer. In today’s political climate, George Washington’s fear of hyper-partisanship dividing the country is, sadly, a reality. Today, it seems as if many of their greatest fears have been realized. ![]() In his new book, “ Fears of a Setting Sun: The Disillusionment of America’s Founders” (Princeton University Press), Syracuse political science professor Dennis Rasmussen examines why many of America’s founding fathers-George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, to name a few-were concerned about America’s future. ![]()
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