Primary sourceNewspaper article1792

Universal Peace

James Madison · 1792

A 1792 National Gazette essay by James Madison examining the limits of plans for universal peace, in his own words.

Madison's own essay, showing his republican philosophy and critique of utopian peace schemes in his own words.

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What it is

This is an essay titled Universal Peace, written by James Madison and published in the National Gazette in 1792. It discusses theories of perpetual peace, including those of Rousseau.

Why it matters

Madison wrote this essay during a period when he was increasingly opposed to the policies of Alexander Hamilton. It reveals his skepticism about utopian political schemes and his belief that war, while foolish and wicked, could not simply be legislated out of existence. The essay shows Madison thinking as a political philosopher, not just a legislator.

Look closer

Why might Madison have chosen to criticize Rousseau's peace plan rather than propose his own?
What does this essay suggest about Madison's view of human nature and government?
How might Madison's audience in 1792 have reacted to this argument?

This newspaper article is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of James Madison on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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