We the People Alexander Hamilton: Closet Monarchist or Visionary Nationalist?
Oct 30, 2025
This installment features Stephen Knott, a historian and author, and Ron Chernow, the celebrated biographer behind the musical phenomenon. They dive into Hamilton's complex legacy, exploring whether he was a closet monarchist or a visionary nationalist. Topics include Hamilton’s warnings about demagogues, the contrasts between his and Jefferson's visions for America, and the profound impact of Chernow's biography on modern culture. The discussion also touches on the linguistic style that makes Hamilton’s story ripe for hip-hop adaptation.
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Hamilton's 'Monarchist' Image Is Political
- Hamilton's reputation as a monarchist was largely shaped by Jefferson's long campaign and later partisan uses of his image.
- Historians like Stephen Knott argue Hamilton defended republican institutions despite advocating a strong executive.
Opportunity Without Coup
- Hamilton had opportunities to seize power, notably during the Quasi-War, but he dismantled the very army he helped build instead.
- Stephen Knott uses Washington's trust and Hamilton's actions to rebut claims he sought authoritarian rule.
Fear Of Demagoguery Shaped Hamilton
- Hamilton warned repeatedly against demagogues who flatter the people and become tyrants, fearing Caesarism from below.
- He saw a strong national government as the defense against both foreign threats and domestic demagoguery.
