Books
Introduction to The Thirties: A Reconsideration in the Light of the American Political Tradition
– Introduction. The Thirties: A Reconsideration in the Light of the American Political Tradition. Eds. Morton J. Frisch and Martin Diamond. De Kalb: Northern Illinois UP, 1968. 3-5.A new edition was published in 2010, which includes a new introduction. Below is the publisher’s description: We are pleased to bring back into print The Thirties, originally… More
The Democratic Republic: An Introduction to American National Government
– Martin Diamond, Winston Mills Fisk, and Herbert Garfinkel. The Democratic Republic: An Introduction to American National Government. 2nd ed. Chicago: Rand McNally and Company, 1970.The Revolution of Sober Expectations
– The Revolution of Sober Expectations. Distinguished Lecture Series on the Bicentennial. Washington, D.C.: American Enterprise Institute for Policy Research, 1974. Also included in America's Continuing Revolution. Washington: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 1975. 25-41.Prepared as part of the American Enterprise Institute’s series of distinguished lectures on the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence, this lecture was delivered at… More
Testimony in Support of the Electoral College
– Testimony in Support of the Electoral College. Reprint No. 76. Washington D.C.: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 1977.The Electoral College and the American Idea of Democracy
– The Electoral College and the American Idea of Democracy. Washington, D.C.: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, 1977.Composed in 1977 and published as a booklet by the American Enterprise Institute, this essay is a vigorous defense of our constitutional method of electing presidents through the… More
The Founding of the Democratic Republic
– The Founding of the Democratic Republic. Itasca, IL: F.E. Peacock, 1981.Publisher’s Description: A reprint of four chapters by Martin Diamond from The Democratic Republic (Diamond, Garfinkel, and Fisk), this book provides a more complete view of our… More
As Far as Republican Principles Will Admit: Essays by Martin Diamond
– Ed. William A. Schambra. Washington, D.C.: AEI Press, 1992.When Martin Diamond decided the time had come to collect his essays of some twenty years into a single volume, he selected as its title, As Far as Republican Principles Will Admit. That… More
Essays
American Political Thought and the Study of Politics: Comment on McCloskey
– "American Political Thought and the Study of Politics: Comment on McCloskey." American Political Science Review 51.1 (March 1957): 130-34.Excerpt: McCloskey’s essay offers a justification for and an approach to the study of American political thought. Justification is needed, as he puts it bluntly and persuasively,… More
Democracy and The Federalist: A Reconsideration of the Framers’ Intent
– "Democracy and The Federalist: A Reconsideration of the Framers' Intent." American Political Science Review 53.1 (1959): 52-68.In this essay, which appeared in the American Political Science Review in 1959, Diamond introduces his claim that the Constitution’s framers intended a democratic form of government… More
Revolution of “An Economic Theory of Democracy”
– Rev. of An Economic Theory of Democracy, by Anthony Downs. Journal of Political Economy 67.2 (1959): 208-11.Lincoln’s Greatness
– "An Excerpt from Lincoln's Greatness." Interpretation 8.2,3 (May 1980): 22-25. Also in "With Firmness in the Right...: Two Addresses on Abraham Lincoln" Claremont: Claremont Men's College, 1960. 15-21.In this portion of a speech originally published by Claremont Men’s College in 1960 and reprinted in an issue of Interpretation in 1980, Diamond suggests that the greatness we… More
Rev. of “The Age of the Democratic Revolution”
– Rev. of The Age of the Democratic Revolution, by R. R. Palmer. American Political Science Review 54.3 (1960): 747-48.The Federalist’s View of Federalism
– "The Federalist's View of Federalism." Essays in Federalism. George C. S. Benson, et al., Claremont: Institute for Studies in Federalism, 1961. 21--64.A careful reading of The Federalist, Diamond argues in this essay published in 1961 by the Claremont Institute for Studies in Federalism, reveals that—beneath an acknowledgement and… More
Reading the American Heritage
– "Reading the American Heritage." Claremont Reading Conference Yearbook. Claremont: Claremont Men's College, 1962. 57-63.Rev. of “Six Crises”
– Rev. of Six Crises, by Richard Nixon. The Individualist, a Newsletter for the Alumni and Friends of Claremont Men's College (November 1962)The American Heritage and the Quarrel Among the Heirs
– "The American Heritage and the Quarrel Among the Heirs." Claremont Reading Conference Yearbook. Claremont: Claremont Men's College, 1963.Challenge to the Court
– "Challenge to the Court." Rev. of The Warren Revolution: Reflections on the Consensus Society, by L. Brent Bozell. National Review (13 June 1967): 642-44.Conservatives, Liberals, and the Constitution
– "Conservatives, Liberals, and the Constitution." Left, Right, and Center: Essays on Conservatism and Liberalism in the United States. Ed. Robert A. Goldwin. 2d. Ed. ed. Chicago: Rand-McNally, 1967. 60-86.Written as a discussion paper for a conference exploring aspects of liberalism and conservatism in America and published in Left, Right, and Center, edited by Robert A. Goldwin, this essay… More
On the Relationship of Federalism and Decentralization
– "On the Relationship of Federalism and Decentralization." Cooperation and Conflict: Readings in American Federalism. Ed. Daniel J. Elazar et al. Itasca: F.E. Peacock, 1969. 72-81.Second Thoughts on Tocqueville’s Concept of Administrative Decentralization
– "Second Thoughts on Tocqueville's Concept of Administrative Decentralization." Paper read at the Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. Los Angeles. 1970. Mimeographed.The Problem of Reading in an Age of Mass Democracy
– "The Problem of Reading in an Age of Mass Democracy." The 34th Yearbook of the Claremont Reading Conference. Claremont, Calif.: Claremont Men's College, 1970.In this presentation to a group of teachers (published in the proceedings of the 1970 Claremont Reading Conference), Diamond draws upon Tocqueville’s analysis of the new age of… More
Notes on the Political Theory of the Founding Fathers
– Notes on the Political Theory of the Founding Fathers." Report prepared for Temple University: Center for the Study of Federalism, January 1971. Mimeographed.On the Study of Politics in a Liberal Education
– "On the Study of Politics in a Liberal Education." The College (December 1971): 6-10.In this paper prepared for the 275th Anniversary Colloquium at St. John’s College in Annapolis and published in College in 1971, Diamond maintains that the liberal study of politics… More
The Dependence of Fact upon ‘Value’
– "The Dependence of Fact upon 'Value.'" Interpretation 2.3 (1972): 226-35.At the heart of modern behavioral political science is the rigid distinction between “fact” and “value”—a distinction, Diamond argues in this article published in… More
The Utopian Grounds for Pessimism and the Reasonable Grounds for Optimism
– "The Utopian Grounds for Pessimism and the Reasonable Grounds for Optimism." Causes for Optimism. Ed. John A. Howard. Rockford, Ill.: Rockford College, 1973. 40-50.In this presentation to a Rockford College colloquium exploring “Causes for Optimism,” Diamond suggests that the pervasive pessimism of the late 1960s and early 1970s followed… More
Virtue, Idealism, and the American Regime of Self-Interest
– "Virtue, Idealism, and the American Regime of Self-Interest." Paper read at the Meeting of the Northeast Political Science Association. Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania. 1973. Mimeographed.Political Science as an Undergraduate Discipline
– "Political Science as an Undergraduate Discipline." Report prepared for the Academy for Educational Development, 1973, in Washington. Mimeographed.On the Study of Politics
– "On the Study of Politics." Paper read at the Small College Conference. American Political Science Association, 1973. Mimeographed.The Ends of Federalism
– "The Ends of Federalism." Publius 3.2 (1973): 129-52.However ambiguous may have been the founders’ view of the federal elements in their Constitution, other prominent commentators on American government subsequently came to appreciate… More
The Problems of the Socialist Party: After World War One
– "The Problems of the Socialist Party: After World War One." Failure of a Dream? Essays in the History of American Socialism. Ed. John H.M. Laslett and Seymour Martin Lipset. Garden City: Anchor, 1974. 362-93.What the Framers Meant by Federalism
– "What the Framers Meant By Federalism." A Nation of States: Essays on the American Federal System. Ed. Robert A. Goldwin. Chicago: Rand McNally College Pub., 1974. 25-41.Whether the United States would remain a loose confederation of proudly sovereign states or would adopt instead a strong, centralized national government was one of the foremost issues… More
Opinion, Passion, and Interest in Political Life
– "Opinion, Passion, and Interest in Political Life." Paper read at The William Benet Munro Memorial Lecture. Stanford University, 1975.Teaching Government: The Political and Ethical Implications for Our Students
– "Teaching Government: The Political and Ethical Implications for Our Students." DEA News (Summer 1975): 3.The Declaration and the Constitution: The American Posture Towards Democracy
– "The Declaration and the Constitution: The American Posture Towards Democracy." The Sol M. Feinstone Lecture. Syracuse University. Sept. 1975. Mimeographed.Reflections on Teaching Political Science
– "Reflections on Teaching Political Science." DEA News (Fall 1975)The Declaration and the Constitution: Liberty, Democracy, and the Founders
– "The Declaration and the Constitution: Liberty, Democracy, and the Founders." The Public Interest 41 (Fall 1975): 39-55. Also included in The American Commonwealth—1976. Eds. Nathan Glazer and Irving Kristol. New York: Basic, 1976. 39-55.To understand the relationship between the Constitution’s commitment to democratic government and the Declaration of Independence’s affirmation of equal individual rights is in… More
The American Idea of Man: The View from the Founding
– "The American Idea of Man: The View from the Founding." The Americans, 1976: An Inquiry into Fundamental Concepts of Man Underlying Various U.S. Institutions. Ed. Irving Kristol and Paul Weaver. Lexington: Lexington, 1976. 1-23.The American Idea of Equality: The View from the Founding
– "The American Idea of Equality: The View from the Founding." Review of Politics 38.3 (July 1976): 313-31.Although the founders embraced the idea of human equality, Diamond argues in this essay from a 1976 issue of The Review of Politics, it was a limited, moderate, sober understanding of… More
The Forgotten Doctrine of Enumerated Powers
– "The Forgotten Doctrine of Enumerated Powers." Publius 6.4 (1976): 187-93.The editors of Publius: Journal of Federalism composed the following introductory note to accompany this essay’s publication in 1976: Professor Diamond’s essay is an elaboration… More
The Military and the Democratic Republic: The Political Context
– "The Military and the Democratic Republic: The Political Context." Paper read on 15 November 1976. Mimeographed.Ethics and Politics: The American Way
– "Ethics and Politics: The American Way." The Moral Foundations of the American Republic. Ed. Robert H. Horwitz. Charlottesville: University of Virginia, 1977. 39-72.This essay, published in 1977 in The Moral Foundations of the American Republic, edited by Robert H. Horwitz, is a fitting summary of Diamond’s understanding of the American… More
The Teaching of Political Science as a Vocation
– "The Teaching of Political Science as a Vocation." Teaching Political Science. Ed. Vernon Van Dyke. Highland, New Jersey: Humanities, 1977. 89-115.Teaching about Politics as a Vocation
– "Teaching about Politics as a Vocation." Eds. Sidney Hook et al. The Ethics of Teaching and Scientific Research. Amherst, N.Y.: Prometheus, 1977.How may a teacher of politics explore with his students the fundamental commitments, or “values,” of the regime, while remaining faithful to his obligation to be… More
“The Federalist” on Federalism: “Neither a National Nor a Federal Constitution, but a Composition of Both”
– "The Federalist on Federalism: 'Neither a National Nor a Federal Constitution, but a Composition of Both'" Yale Law Review 86.6 (May 1977): 1273-285.In his essays on American federalism, Diamond argued that we would benefit from a more precise understanding of the nature of federalism as the founders bequeathed it to us—or, more… More
The Separation of Powers and the Mixed Regime
– "The Separation of Powers and the Mixed Regime." Publius 8.3 (Summer 1978): 33-44.Martin Diamond insisted that an accurate understanding of the founder’s intentions required a firm grasp of the distinction between their scheme of separation of powers and the… More
“The Federalist”
– "The Federalist." History of Political Philosophy. Eds. Leo Strauss and Joseph Cropsey. 3d Ed. ed. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1987. 659-679.This essay explores the central themes of The Federalist such as the manner in which a decent but nonetheless democratic political order might be established, employing separation of… More
Commentary
In Memory of Martin Diamond
– Irving Kristol, "In Memory of Martin Diamond," The Alternative, October, 1977.Irving Kristol remembers Martin Diamond, in this 1977 obituary.
In Memory of Martin Diamond
– Daniel J. Elazar. "In Memory of Martin Diamond." Publius 7.4 (Fall 1977): 1-2.Martin Diamond’s View of The Federalist
– Patrick Riley. "Martin Diamond's View of The Federalist." Publius 8.3 (Summer 1978): 71-101.Author’s Introduction: The only consolation for the early loss of Martin Diamond is the memory of his brilliant teaching and the permanent value of his published writings. One of the… More
Martin Diamond and the American Idea of Democracy
– Jeane J. Kirkpatrick. "Martin Diamond and the American Idea of Democracy." Publius 8.3 (Summer 1978): 7-31.Excerpt: This is an essay on the political writings of Martin Diamond, a friend and colleague cherished as much for his seriousness and intellect as for his warmth and wit. It is inspired… More
Reflections on Martin Diamond’s “Ethics and Politics: The American Way”
– Robert A. Licht. "Reflections on Martin Diamond's "Ethics and Politics: The American Way"" Publius 8.3 (Summer 1978): 183-211.Excerpt: There can be no question but that the theme which is addressed by Martin Diamond in his article, “Ethics and Politics: The American Way” is an area of considerable… More
Martin Diamond’s Legacy
– Daniel J. Elazar. "Martin Diamond's Legacy." Publius 8.3 (Summer 1978): 1-5.Excerpt: Martin Diamond’s principle legacy to all Americans and to all people everywhere is his revival of serious consideration of the political philosophy of the American founding… More
Diamond’s Doctrine of the American Regime by Bill Schambra
– William A. Schambra. "Martin Diamond's Doctrine of the American Regime." Publius 8.3 (Summer 1978): 213-18.Excerpt: Several months ago, Alexander Solzhenitsyn ushered the graduating class of Harvard University into an ominous world: the world of frantic, debasing, self-interested Western… More
Teacher-Scholar of the Democratic Republic by Herbert Garfinkel
– Herbert Garfinkel. "Martin Diamond: Teacher-Scholar of the Democratic Republic." Publius 8.3 (Summer 1978): 123-27.Excerpt: A textbook may not seem a noteworthy part of one’s legacy, but Martin Diamond’s extraordinary impact as a teacher shines through even so prosaic a tool. Moreover, the… More
The Writings of Martin Diamond: A Bibliography
– "The Writings of Martin Diamond: A Bibliography." Interpretation 8.2, 3 (May 1980): 1-4.The Least Imperfect Government: On Martin Diamond’s “Ethics and Politics”
– "The Least Imperfect Government: On Martin Diamond's 'Ethics and Politics'" Interpretation 8.2, 3 (May 1980): 5-15.Excerpt: In memory of Martin Diamond—my least imperfect friend through some forty years and always a model of luminous intelligence and saving human grace—I can only try to do two… More
Comment: The Politics of Martin Diamond’s Science
– "Comment: The Politics of Martin Diamond's Science." Interpretation 8.2, 3 (May 1980): 16-21.Excerpt: One day several years ago, about a year after I received my Ph.D., Mr. Diamond finally persuaded me to refer to and address him as “Martin.” He had suggested several… More
Martin Diamond on “Lincoln’s Greatness”
– "Martin Diamond on "Lincoln's Greatness"" Interpretation 8.2, 3 (May 1980): 26-28.In the bleakest days of Nixon-Kissinger foreign policy—when it appeared that democracy, having been rendered unmanly by petty bourgeois concerns at home, would be swallowed up by… More
The Commercial Republic & the Pluralist Critique of Marxism: An Analysis of Martin Diamond’s Interpretation of Federalist 10
– Alan Gibson. "The Commercial Republic & the Pluralist Critique of Marxism: An Analysis of Martin Diamond's Interpretation of Federalist 10." Polity 25.4 (Summer 1993): 497-528.Introduction: Martin Diamond’s “commercial republic” interpretation of Federalist 10 is widely embraced by political scientists, especially Straussians, but this article… More
Martin Diamond’s Interpretation of Federalist 10: A Response to Alan Gibson
– Jeffrey Leigh Sedgwick. "Martin Diamond's Interpretation of Federalist 10: A Response to Alan Gibson." Polity 25.4 (Summer 1993): 529-36.Excerpt: In this provocative and insightful essay, Alan Gibson attacks Martin Diamond’s “commercial republic” interpretation of Federalist 10. The significance of his… More
Martin Diamond’s Contribution to American Political Thought: Editor’s Preface
– Richard G. Stevens. "Martin Diamond's Contribution to American Political Thought: Editor's Preface." The Political Science Reviewer 28.1 (Fall 1999): 3-17.Diamond’s Contribution to American Political Thought: Symposium
– Walter Berns. "Martin Diamond's Contribution to American Political Thought: Symposium." The Political Science Reviewer 28.1 (Fall 1999): 18-20.Excerpt: Forgotten or neglected by politicians, the Constitution and its Framers did not fare much better in the academic world that Martin Diamond entered in the early 1950s. Political… More
Martin Diamond as a Classroom Teacher by Edmund Carlson
– Edmund D. Carlson. "Martin Diamond as a Classroom Teacher: A Personal Reminiscence." The Political Science Reviewer 28.1 (Fall 1999): 21-26.Excerpt: Some thirty years ago I first entered a classroom animated and taught by Martin Diamond. With possibly one exception, he remains in my estimation the most effective classroom… More
Martin Diamond and Douglass Adair on “The Federalist”
– Morton J. Frisch. "Martin Diamond and Douglass Adair on The Federalist." The Political Science Reviewer 28.1 (Fall 1999): 27-47.Excerpt: Martin Diamond and Douglass Adair differ in their interpretations of American political thought. This difference is shown in the irrespective analyses of The Federalist. According… More
Democracy, Acquisitiveness, and the Private Realm: Martin Diamond on the Reasonable Optimism of the Founding
– Thomas K. Lindsay. "Democracy, Acquisitiveness, and the Private Realm: Martin Diamond on the Reasonable Optimism of the Founding." The Political Science Reviewer 28.1 (Fall 1999): 48-74.Excerpt: Martin Diamond’s analysis and defense of the philosophic and moral foundations of the American Constitution took the form of a multi-front war. To his left was arrayed more… More
Conservatives, Liberals, and the Constitution: Martin Diamond’s Political Science
– David Nichols. "Conservatives, Liberals, and the Constitution: Martin Diamond's Political Science." The Political Science Reviewer 28.1 (Fall 1999): 75-97.Excerpt: Martin Diamond once said that what drives most Americans is not ideology but the spirit expressed in a country and western song by Tom T. Hall titled “Faster Horses, Older… More
Response to Morton J. Frisch and to Martin Diamond
– John C. Koritansky. "Response to Morton J. Frisch and to Martin Diamond." The Political Science Reviewer 28.1 (Fall 1999): 98-101.Excerpt: The broad purpose of Professor Frisch’s paper is to explain, as being cogent, Martin Diamond’s understanding of The Federalist Papers as at least the closest… More
America’s Better Self: Martin Diamond, James Madison, and the Foundations of the American Regime
– Alan Gibson. "America's Better Self: Martin Diamond, James Madison, and the Foundations of the American Regime." The Political Science Reviewer 28.1 (Fall 1999): 102-20.Excerpt: Martin Diamond made inestimable contributions to the study of the American Founding. During the 1960s and 1970s, he set forth a series of subtle interpretations that either remain… More
Martin Diamond: Finding the Founding
– In Catherine and Michael Zuckert, The Truth About Leo Strauss (The University of Chicago Press, 2006).Selection from “The Emergence of the Straussian Study of America,” Chapter Six in The Truth About Leo Strauss (The University of Chicago Press, 2006).
The Public Interest at 50
– Adam Keiper, National Affairs, Fall 2015.Excerpt: The most timeless essay in the first issue of The Public Interest was penned by Martin Diamond, a professor of political philosophy, an explicator of and reviver of interest in the… More
In Memoriam: Martin Diamond and Herbert Storing
– "In Memoriam: Martin Diamond and Herbert Storing," James Madison Program, Princeton University, Fall 2017.Program notes from a conference on Martin Diamond and Herbert Storing held at Princeton University in the Fall of 2017.
Two Great Americanists
Excerpt: Diamond first caught the eye of the profession in an article he published in the American Political Science Review in 1959, in which he delivered a harsh blow against the first… More
Multimedia
Two Cheers for the American Republic: Ancient Virtue and Modern Republican Decency
– "Two Cheers for the American Republic: Ancient Virtue and Modern Republican Decency," Lecture, Claremont Men's College, mid-1960s.Teaching the American Heritage
– "Teaching the American Heritage," Lecture, University of California-Berkeley, early 1960s.Teaching
Note to students of Martin Diamond
Note to students of Martin Diamond: We are looking for syllabi and audio recordings from Diamond’s classes. If you have materials of interest that you would like to share, please contact… More