The primary points of Washington’s owner’s manual can be divided into four themes: • Moderating the fury of party spirit • Warning against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue • Guarding against the impostures of pretended patriotism • Maintaining fiscal responsibility Part I Washington’s Reflections on Party Spirit and Feigned Patriotism Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to

The Argument

The primary points of Washington’s owner’s manual can be divided into four themes: • Moderating the fury of party spirit • Warning against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue • Guarding against the impostures of pretended patriotism • Maintaining fiscal responsibility Part I Washington’s Reflections on Party Spirit and Feigned Patriotism Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official. —Theodore Roosevelt Central to Washington’s vision for a unified and prosperous republic were his profound insights into the perils of partisan discord and the dangers of superficial displays of patriotism. In this chapter, I take inspiration from Washington’s thoughts on party spirit and feigned patriotism which are encapsulated in theses 14–21. It is an incredible legacy to his political foresight when we reflect on how, after over two centuries, their relevance still endures in today’s political landscape.