According To Pangle's The Spirit Of Modern Republicanism

In his work, The Spirit of Modern Republicanism, Pangle argues that Lockean philosophy is America’s chief influence as it encompasses the moral vision the Founders held for American political design. Pangle begins his argument by rejecting the influence of classical republicanism on the Founding and argues that the Founders aspirations where inherently anti-classical. The ancient conception of republicanism only allowed for limited political opportunities for an exclusive set of individuals and this idea was incompatible with the new direction the Founders intended America to follow. Whereas classical republicanism was limited, the new idea of modern republicanism promoted inclusiveness, natural equality, individual rights, the right of revolution,

religious toleration, and freedom of conscience (Pangle, 1988, pg. 35). This shift occurred due to Locke’s influence because his philosophy offered the Founders a new, and far more compelling, conception of human nature.
According to Pangle, the Founders departure from classical republicanism was necessary to achieve the modern notion of republicanism.

Pangle claims that the reasons for separation from classical republicanism are inextricably linked to the tensions and irreconcilability between the old virtues in classical republican thought and the modern virtues present in Lockean philosophy. Pangle claims that the ancient virtues place considerably less emphasis on protecting individual rights, namely those guaranteeing private protection, property, freedom of religion, and the pursuit of happiness (Pangle, 1988, pg. 53). Pangle argues that Locke offered the Founders a new perspective on the importance of these virtues in relation to human nature. As a result, liberty became the preeminent value in American political virtue and was treated like a virtue by the Framers necessary to achieve the ultimate good (Pangle, 1988, pg.117). This shift encouraged the Founders to critically examine the virtues offered by the current system of governance and understand the problems they posed to human wellbeing and governance

overall.
Support for Pangle’s argument is largely based in the arguments advanced by Publius in The Federalist. The deficiencies posed by maintaining the ancient virtues threatened the stability and administration of an effective government. Publius illustrates critical deficiencies with classical republics found in ancient Greece and Rome, and the practice of allowing independent republics to coexist amongst other independent republics subjected them all to the persistent threat of war. This was a major concern in America, as many independent states, and their citizens, wished to maintain independence. Publius illustrates that allowing this to continue in America will prohibit society from securing peace, trust, and cooperation, which are all necessary conditions for human flourishing. As a result, Publius advocates for the adoption of the Constitution to unify the independent republics in America, thereby forming one institution to promote the most important Lockean virtue—liberty. Pangle argues that the emphasis on promoting liberty, both public and private, as a virtue is a critical component of the moral arguments present in The Federalist. This is clear in the call from Publius for a renewal of moral virtues that adhere to fraternity, reverence for ancestors, self-sacrifice, and a commitment to the promotion of liberty (Pangle, 1988, pg. 44).
The core of Pangle’s argument is that Lockean influence on the Founders initiated a separation between classical republicanism and a new modern conception of republicanism.

The Founders considered the importance of liberty, self-governance, and limited government as extremely important virtues when designing the new Constitution. In order to establish a new and more perfect America, the Founders needed to significantly alter the end-goal of governance to be in accordance with human nature. Locke’s teachings captivated the Founders and provided them with augments and rational assessments concerning the nature of individuals. Finding these appropriate, the Founders implemented Locke’s philosophy into the defense of a need for a new political order in America. The Federalists argued that the new government was to be inherently limited to the common defense, preservation of peace, regulation of commerce, and dealing with foreign affairs (Pangle, 1988, pg. 118). Most importantly, the Lockean notion of popular sovereignty was of the utmost concern to the Founders in that “the public ought to control and regulate government” (Pangle, 1988, pg. 127). This rejects the classical conceptions of republicanism, such as Aristotelian notion that the government ought to be led and administered by the best and most capable members in

society.
If we search for the origins of political ideas then there is little doubt that Locke sits at the fountainhead of American philosophical thought. But perhaps Pangle is neglecting the importance of historical factors and anthropological development in Colonial America which may have secured some of Locke’s principles regarding proper governance before Locke had even formulated them himself. Is it possible that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and many other Founders, by nature of their birth in America, were already imbued with an American “spirit” which heavily influenced their perception? To answer this question, we turn to Donald Lutz.