The Political Thought of Frederick Douglass: In Pursuit of American Liberty
Nicholas Buccola
Abstract
Frederick Douglass, one of the most prominent figures in African-American and United States history, was born a slave, but escaped to the North and became a well-known anti-slavery activist, orator, and author. This book provides an important and original argument about the ideas that animated this reformer-statesman. Beyond his role as an abolitionist, the book argues for the importance of understanding Douglass as a political thinker who provides deep insights into the immense challenge of achieving and maintaining the liberal promise of freedom. Douglass shows us that the language of rights ... More
Frederick Douglass, one of the most prominent figures in African-American and United States history, was born a slave, but escaped to the North and became a well-known anti-slavery activist, orator, and author. This book provides an important and original argument about the ideas that animated this reformer-statesman. Beyond his role as an abolitionist, the book argues for the importance of understanding Douglass as a political thinker who provides deep insights into the immense challenge of achieving and maintaining the liberal promise of freedom. Douglass shows us that the language of rights must be coupled with a robust understanding of social responsibility in order for liberal ideals to be realized. Truly an original American thinker, this book highlights Douglass's rightful place among the great thinkers in the American liberal tradition.
Keywords:
Frederick Douglass,
slave,
anti-slavery activist,
abolitionist,
freedom,
social responsibility,
American liberal tradition
Bibliographic Information
Print publication date: 2012 |
Print ISBN-13: 9780814787113 |
Published to NYU Press Scholarship Online: March 2016 |
DOI:10.18574/nyu/9780814787113.001.0001 |