Political Philosophy - Raw History

Political Philosophy

This tag will be fluid regarding eras of thought. It will include authors from sundry times and myriad subjects. The connection between the excerpts for this tag will be expressions of general principles regardless of time or space.

Ideological Unity & Communism: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

Political Philosophy

Ideological Unity & Communism: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

Once ideological unity is established, it operates as powerfully as prejudice.

Conclusions About Josef Stalin: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

General Interest

Conclusions About Josef Stalin: Thoughts by Milovan Djilas

"At the time I was still capable of believing that I could be a Communist and remain a free man." --Milovan Djilas

The Demands of the Socialist Parties: Analysis by Igor Shafarevich.

General Interest

The Demands of the Socialist Parties: Analysis by Igor Shafarevich.

For many people, political parties, are an embarrassing malady of society akin to hemorrhoids for a person. But why do political parties even exist? James Madison observed that "As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.

The Common Threads of Socialism: Thoughts by Igor Shafarevich.

Political Philosophy

The Common Threads of Socialism: Thoughts by Igor Shafarevich.

Igor Shafarevich (1923-2017) was a gifted Russian mathematician and Soviet dissident. He associated with some notable "trouble makers" in the USSR, like novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. One of Shafarevich's students, Ilya Piatetski-Shapiro, revealed that the math savant disliked the October Revoloution and had "negative feelings for Communism." Though he felt political

The Average Man vis-á-vis the Government: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1925.

General Interest

The Average Man vis-á-vis the Government: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1925.

Is government a blessing, a curse, or something in between? It seems that too much or too little government are both fraught with dangers. The subject has engaged some of the great minds of history. For instance, Thomas Paine had the following thoughts: SOME writers have so confounded society with

Theories of Government: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1922.

General Interest

Theories of Government: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1922.

A consummate critic, H. L. Mencken unpacks what he thinks of monarchy, democracy, and communism in this short but vivid observation. August Glen-James, editor And communism, as the example of Russia already shows, is not a fountain that gushes peace, justice and plenty, but a sewer in which they are

The Politician: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1940.

General Interest

The Politician: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1940.

Mencken's analysis of the politician seems, in the main, to be timeless wisdom, as applicable today as it was when he wrote it. But, the reader can make that judgement. August Glen-James, editor “In politics,” he said, “man must learn to rise above principle.” Then he drove it in with

Government: Its Inner Nature. Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1919

Political Philosophy

Government: Its Inner Nature. Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1919

H. L. Mencken had a sharp wit . . . and a sharp pencil. His observations about government will ring a consonant note with most readers, regardless of personal politics. Enjoy! August Glen-James, editor The ideal government of all reflective men, from Aristotle onward, is one which lets the individual alone—one which

Novanglus No. II: The Revolutionary Doctrines of John Adams, 1774

Novanglus No. II: The Revolutionary Doctrines of John Adams, 1774

Writing as "Massachusettensis" in the Massachusetts Gazette, Daniel Leonard argued that Parliament had a constitutional right to exercise authority over the American colonies. The denial of this "right" was the central theme of America's revolutionaries; consequently, writing as "Novanglus," John Adams countered "Massachusettensis's" arguments in a series of essays that

Capitalism: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1935

General Interest

Capitalism: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1935

H. L. Mencken (Sept. 12, 1880--Jan. 29, 1956) was an American journalist from Maryland. His work is characterized by sharp criticism and satirical observations about government, cultural institutions, and powerful people. He was witty, iconoclastic at times, and a master of the English language. His works are always an interesting

Was Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes a "Liberal"?: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1930.

Political Philosophy

Was Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes a "Liberal"?: Thoughts by H. L. Mencken, 1930.

H. L. Mencken (Sept. 12, 1880--Jan. 29, 1956) was an American journalist from Maryland. His work is characterized by sharp criticism and satirical observations about government, cultural institutions, and powerful people. He was witty, iconoclastic at times, and a master of the English language. His works are always an interesting

The Socialism of Deschamps: Analysis by Igor Shafarevich

Political Philosophy

The Socialism of Deschamps: Analysis by Igor Shafarevich

Igor Shafarevich (1923-2017) was a gifted Russian mathematician and Soviet dissident. He associated with some notable "trouble makers" in the USSR, like novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. One of Shafarevich's students, Ilya Piatetski-Shapiro, revealed that the math savant "disliked the October" and had "negative feelings for Communism. Though he felt political heat,

On the Liberty of Thought and Discussion: John Stuart Mill

General Interest

On the Liberty of Thought and Discussion: John Stuart Mill

The title and body of this post speak for themselves. Enjoy! August Glen-James, editor But the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those

"The Greatest Dangers of the American Republics Proceed from the Unlimited Power of the Majority" -- Thoughts by Alexis de Tocqueville

Political Philosophy

"The Greatest Dangers of the American Republics Proceed from the Unlimited Power of the Majority" -- Thoughts by Alexis de Tocqueville

In this selection, Tocqueville expresses his belief that democratic-republics are liable to perish from a misuse of power rather than by impotence. He also ventured the thought that the American republics are more centralized and more energetic than the monarchies of Europe. Of interest, too, he quotes a couple of

Novanglus No. I: The Revolutionary Doctrines of John Adams, 1774

Novanglus No. I: The Revolutionary Doctrines of John Adams, 1774

Writing as "Massachusettensis" in the Massachusetts Gazette, Daniel Leonard argued that Parliament had a constitutional right to exercise authority over the American colonies. The denial of this "right" was the central theme of America's revolutionaries; consequently, writing as "Novanglus," John Adams countered "Massachusettensis's" arguments in a series of essays that

The Spirit of Liberty Ought to be Jealous: Thoughts by John Adams, 9 & 16 February, 1767

The Spirit of Liberty Ought to be Jealous: Thoughts by John Adams, 9 & 16 February, 1767

The French and Indian War completely changed the relationship between Great Britain and its American colonies. The era prior to this conflict has been characterized by historians as one of "salutary neglect." Broadly speaking, salutary neglect means that the various revenue laws and acts (e.g., the Navigation Acts) were

The Nature of the Union: Patrick Henry answered by James Madison and analyzed by Jefferson Davis.

Anti Federalist

The Nature of the Union: Patrick Henry answered by James Madison and analyzed by Jefferson Davis.

What exactly is the nature of the government framed by the Constitution . . . a confederation of sovereign states or a consolidated nation of "we the people"? Many in the founding generation, like Patrick Henry, worried that the proposed constitution of 1787 was intended to and would result in a consolidated nation

The Difference Between Nullification and Secession: Thoughts by Jefferson Davis, 1881.

The Difference Between Nullification and Secession: Thoughts by Jefferson Davis, 1881.

Nullification and secession were hot-button issues in the 19th century . . . and seemingly still are today. As power in Washington, D.C. oscillates from one party to the other, the elements in the ousted faction often saber rattles about secession and nullification. With this in mind, it may be interesting to

Reserved and Delegated Constitutional Powers: Thoughts by James Wilson, 6 October 1787.

Reserved and Delegated Constitutional Powers: Thoughts by James Wilson, 6 October 1787.

When the 1787 Constitution was conveyed to the States for consideration, many arguments erupted between those who favored and those who opposed ratification of the document. One of the first arguments to garner attention was the absence of a bill of rights in the Constitution. James Wilson addressed this issue

Thomas Jefferson to Justice William Johnson: Thoughts on the Difference Between America's Political Parties, 12 June 1823.

Thomas Jefferson to Justice William Johnson: Thoughts on the Difference Between America's Political Parties, 12 June 1823.

Thomas Jefferson, believing that the United States had already lost its way and was descending into "monarchism" under Federalist leadership, ran for President in 1800. He won and characterized the victory as a revolution in service of republican principles. Of course, Jefferson's "revolution" didn't end partisan politics. This post highlights

Niccolò Machiavelli: Thoughts on Many Subjects, 1513

General Interest

Niccolò Machiavelli: Thoughts on Many Subjects, 1513

Considered the father of modern politics, Niccolò Machiavelli wrote The Prince in 1513. Noted for its amorality and singular focus on maintaining power through deception and force, The Prince is replete with thought-provoking concepts. I have added my own subject titles so that readers may scan and read what interests

Society and the Perniciousness of Sub-Societies: Thoughts by John Taylor of Caroline, 1818

Society and the Perniciousness of Sub-Societies: Thoughts by John Taylor of Caroline, 1818

In a work entitled, "Agriculture and the Militia," John Taylor addressed the topic of Slavery. In one part of the subject, he addressed the purposes of society and the problems associated with "sub-societies." Although, not a name known to many today (as opposed to Thomas Jefferson or Patrick Henry, etc.

Interpreting the Constitution: Thoughts by Thomas Jefferson, 1803

Interpreting the Constitution: Thoughts by Thomas Jefferson, 1803

Writing to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 September 1803, Thomas Jefferson articulated his thoughts about the power grants of the Constitution and remediation when found lacking. Written within the context of the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson defended the acquisition, which was under attack by his political opponents, on the basis of the

An Independent Judiciary: Thoughts by William Cranch, 12 December 1801

An Independent Judiciary: Thoughts by William Cranch, 12 December 1801

Entitled, “A Friend of the Constitution,” William Cranch penned this for the Washington Federalist. It has some interesting points about the virtues inherent in an independent judiciary and the vices that may issue from judicial dependence. Pieces like this often, however, beg the question as to whether, given human and

Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane, 6 Sept. 1819, Concerning the Supreme Court

Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane, 6 Sept. 1819, Concerning the Supreme Court

It's not surprising that current U.S. citizens argue and disagree over the meaning and intentions of the Constitution; however, it is peculiar that the generation that produced the document also argued over its meaning and interpretation. The interest inherent in this excerpt is how Thomas Jefferson views the separation