Description
Tully presents a detailed study of a 30-year period in Pennsylvania following the death of its founder, William Penn, & concludes that, contrary to accepted beliefs, the 18th-century political world was largely one of peace, regularity, & order. He reveals that of fundamental importance to the nature of political life in the colony were a whole series of institutional safeguards, informal political practices, & behavioral norms that worked to resolve conflict before it became deeply disruptive. Society as a whole remained cohesive rather than divisive, & was cemented by political convention, economic interdependence, & social inbreeding. Illustrations.
