THE ACHAEAN LEAGUE AND THE AMERICAN FOUNDING

This paper reassesses the influence of ancient confederacies on the political thought of the American founding. It suggests that James Madison drew inspiration for innovative elements of the American Constitution from the Achaean League. It also claims that attention toMadison's debts, which he tallied in both Federalist no. 18 and the earlier 'Notes on Ancient andModern Confederacies,' helps us to appreciate what Madison took to be perhaps the most innovative feature of the American founding-- not necessarily the Constitution that was established, but the manner in which its establishment was recorded and defended.