in a new book about the antiparty feeling of the early political leaders of the united states, ralph ketcham argues that the first six presidents differed decisively from later presidents because the first six held values inherited from the classical humanist tradition of eighteenth-century england. in this view, government was designed not to satisfy the private desires of the people but to make them better citizens; this tradition stressed the disinterested devotion of political leaders to the public good. justice, wisdom, and courage were more important qualities in a leader than the ability to organize voters and win elections. indeed, leaders were supposed to be called to office rather than to run for office. and if they took up the burdens of public office with a sense of duty, leaders also believed that such offices were naturally their due because of their social preeminence or their contributions to the country. given this classical conception of leadership, it is not surprising that the first six presidents condemned political parties. parties were partial by definition, self-interested, and therefore serving something other than the transcendent public good.
