Sovereign of a Free People

Sovereign of a Free People explores Abraham Lincoln’s defense of majority rule and its role in shaping the nation’s response to deep divisions, including the issue of slavery, during a tumultuous period in American history. James Read examines Lincoln’s understanding of the balance between majorities and minorities, emphasizing his hope for a peaceful, gradual abolition of slavery through democratic means. This book offers a unique focus on Lincoln's perspective on majority authority and draws connections between past and present threats to American democracy.