This book was first published in 2009. In the late-seventeenthcentury, Quakers originated a unique strain of constitutionalism,based on their theology and ecclesiology, which emphasizedconstitutional perpetuity and radical change through popularpeaceful protest. While Whigs could imagine no other means ofdrastic constitutional reform except revolution, Quakers deniedthis as a legitimate option to governmental abuse of authority andadvocated instead civil disobedience. This theory of a perpetualyet amendable constitution and its concomitant idea of popularsovereignty are things that most scholars believe did not existuntil the American Founding. The most notable advocate of thistheory was Founding Father John Dickinson, champion of Americanrights, but not revolution. His thought and action have beenmisunderstood until now, when they are placed within the Quakertradition. This theory of Quaker constitutionalism can be traced ina clear and direct line from early Quakers through Dickinson toMartin Luther King, J
