Community Leadership in Maryland, 1790-1840: A Comparative Analysis of Power in SocietyUNC Press Books, 2018 M07 11 - 435 pages American democracy has fascinated generations of historians. They have probed its philosophical foundations and the structure of its institutions, but their studies reveal little about those who really wielded power in the formative years of the republic. Employing a sophisticated research design, Whitman Ridgway examines the changing leadership patterns in four diverse communities in Maryland from 1790 to 1840. The results indicate clearly the need to study the American democratic process at the local level. Ridgway selected Baltimore City, Frederick, St. Marys, and Talbot counties -- representing the underlying economic and cultural diversity of one political culture, Maryland -- to evaluate who governed, how these patterns differed from one community to another, and how such patterns changed over time. The research design defines the scope of the study. Ridgway uses the decisional method of analysis, determining who actually made decisions, in order to identify the political leaders. His extensive research in manuscript and newspaper collections, tax and census data, and religious and geneological records gathered information on some 1,300 persons. This study of community power illuminates facets of a democratic society which perplexed Alexis de Tocqueville over a century ago. Ridgway demonstrates that, despite the expansion of popular participation in political affairs, the influence of the wealthy continued to be significant. He shows also how leaders without benefit of wealth or social ties to the oligarchies were able to enter community decision making. In a more modern context, this important book adds to the literature in several ways. Its greatest contribution is methological -- no longer can historians talk about power relationships without studying them directly. The work also compares two important periods, the first and second party eras, normally treated in isolation; and through this comparison it reveals much about democracy, egalitarianism, and power. Originally published 1979. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value. |
Contents
The Dynamics of Urban Leadership | |
The Distribution of Community Power | |
Slaveownership Baltimore City | 11 |
Paths to Power | 27 |
Power in a Changing Society | 51 |
Frederick County Positional Elite First Party | 255 |
Frederick County Propertied Elite First Party | 257 |
Frederick County Commercial Elite Second Party | 255 |
Frederick County Decisional Elite Second Party | 257 |
Frederick County Positional Elite Second Party | 190 |
Frederick County Propertied Elite Second Party | 190 |
St Marys County Positional Elite First Party | 190 |
St Marys County Propertied Elite First Party | 190 |
Appendix I | 59 |
Population Distribution 17901850 | 76 |
Population Distribution and Relative Growth 17901850 | 77 |
Tabular Listing of Maryland Elites by County and Elite | 78 |
Baltimore City Decisional Elite First Party | 84 |
Baltimore City Positional Elite First Party | 89 |
Baltimore City Propertied Elite First Party | 96 |
Baltimore City Commercial Elite Second Party Era A3 6 Baltimore City Decisional Elite Second Party | 113 |
Baltimore City Positional Elite Second Party | 193 |
Baltimore City Propertied Elite Second Party | 243 |
Frederick County Decisional Elite First Party | 250 |
St Marys County Decisional Elite Second Party | 190 |
St Marys County Positional Elite Second Party | 190 |
St Marys County Propertied Elite Second Party | 190 |
Talbot County Commercial Elite First Party | 190 |
Talbot County Decisional Elite First Party | 190 |
Talbot County Positional Elite First Party | 190 |
Talbot County Propertied Elite First Party | 190 |
Talbot County Commercial Elite Second Party Era A3 26 Talbot County Decisional Elite Second Party | 190 |
Talbot County Positional Elite Second Party | 190 |
Talbot County Propertied Elite Second Party | 190 |
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Common terms and phrases
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