American Political Ideas Viewed from the Standpoint of Universal History

American Political Ideas Viewed from the Standpoint of Universal History, written by John Fiske, is a book that examines the development of American political ideas in the context of universal history. The book, comprising three lectures, explores the evolution of political systems, institutions, and ideas, from ancient times to the late 19th century. It compares the American system with those of other civilizations, such as ancient Greece and Rome, and discusses the role of representation, federalism, and local self-government in shaping American democracy. The author argues that the American system, with its emphasis on representation, federalism, and local self-government, has provided a unique solution to the problem of securing permanent concert of action without sacrificing local independence. The book also touches on the theme of the "manifest destiny" of the English-speaking peoples and the potential for the English language to become the language of the world.