Dennis Rasmussen: Fears of a Setting Sun
November 17, 2022
When asked what type of government the delegates had created, Benjamin Franklin responded, “a republic, if you can keep it.” Even though constitutional experiment was their creation, some founding fathers were not optimistic that it would survive. Dennis Rasmussen offers important narratives that look at the era immediately following the signing of the Constitution, reevaluating the historical, social, political, and economic stakes following our nation’s founding.
Dennis C. Rasmussen, professor of political science at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs joined us to discuss his newest book, Fears of a Setting Sun: The Disillusionment of America’s Founders.
Event Media
Guests from Hauenstein Center join in, Acting Director Brent Holmes along with special guest Dennis Rasmussen to discuss tonight’s presentation and book Fears of a Setting Sun: The Disillusionment of America’s Founders.
Dennis Rasmussen: Fears of a Setting Sun - Full Event
The full event is available here or on Youtube!
Dennis C. Rasmussen Biography
Dennis C. Rasmussen a Professor of Political Science at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, as well as co-director of SU's Political Philosophy Program. His research focuses on the Enlightenment, the American founding, and the virtues and shortcomings of liberal democracy and market capitalism. He is the author of five books, including The Infidel and the Professor: David Hume, Adam Smith, and the Friendship That Shaped Modern Thought, which was shortlisted for the Ralph Waldo Emerson Award; Fears of a Setting Sun: The Disillusionment of America's Founders, which was named a best politics book of the year in the Wall Street Journal; and a forthcoming book titled The Constitution's Penman: Gouverneur Morris and the Creation of America's Basic Charter.
