Political Philosophy - Raw History (Page 2)

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.

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

True Americanism: A Speech by Carl Schurz, 1859.

General Interest

True Americanism: A Speech by Carl Schurz, 1859.

Biography: Born in Germany in 1829, Carl Schurz fled his home country as a “forty-Eighter” after an unsuccessful revolution. He came to America in 1852 via France and England. Being against both slavery and its extension into the territories, he naturally joined the Republican party. He served as a Major

"Property and Law:" Thoughts by Frédéric Bastiat, 1848.

General Interest

"Property and Law:" Thoughts by Frédéric Bastiat, 1848.

Introduction: This essay was originally published May 15, 1848, in Le Journal des économistes. The utility of Frédéric Bastiat’s essay, from which this excerpt comes, is found in the philosophical contrast between an individualist and collectivist world view concerning Property and Law. For brevity’s sake (although more complex

What is the Extent of a Citizen's Property Rights: Thoughts by James Madison, 1792

What is the Extent of a Citizen's Property Rights: Thoughts by James Madison, 1792

James Madison authored a number of Essays (anonymously) for the National Gazette. At this juncture in American history, the acrimony between the first political parties (Federalists--Adams and Hamilton; Democratic-Republicans--Jefferson and Madison) was becoming heightened. Both parties founded newspapers in order to convey their ideas to the public. The Federalists founded

Consolidation of the States: Thoughts by James Madison, 1791

Consolidation of the States: Thoughts by James Madison, 1791

James Madison authored a number of Essays (anonymously) for the National Gazette. At this juncture in American history, the acrimony between the first political parties (Federalists--Adams and Hamilton; Democratic-Republicans--Jefferson and Madison) was becoming heightened. Both parties founded newspapers in order to convey their ideas to the public. The Federalists founded

Division of Labor & Private Life under Socialism: Thoughts by John Stuart Mill, 1869

General Interest

Division of Labor & Private Life under Socialism: Thoughts by John Stuart Mill, 1869

When John Stuart Mill wrote the pamphlet from which this excerpt comes, Socialism (more specifically, Marxian Socialism--since socialist ideas have been around since at least Plato) had been gaining steam for about 20 years. Mill thought that rather than "ignorant change" or ignorant opposition," the concept ought to be carefully

James Madison: Thoughts from Federalist 37, Select Quotes

James Madison: Thoughts from Federalist 37, Select Quotes

The Federalist Papers were written, primarily by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, to both advocate for and sell the Constitution of 1787, and counter the arguments of the Anti-Federalists, so-called. The Federalist Papers give unique insights into the processes that produced the Constitution of the United States and unpack a

The Virginia & Kentucky Resolves, 1798-99, By Madison and Jefferson--Extended Summary

The Virginia & Kentucky Resolves, 1798-99, By Madison and Jefferson--Extended Summary

Background: Anticipating war with France, the Federalist-dominated congress (the Federalist party being led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams) enacted, and President John Adams signed into law, four acts between June 18 and July 14, 1798 known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. The “alien” portion of the acts authorized

Walt Whitman on the Duty of a Government, 1846

Political Philosophy

Walt Whitman on the Duty of a Government, 1846

The following is a short article written by Walt Whitman in the Brooklyn Eagle, April 4, 1846, wherein he quotes an editorial viewpoint from the N.Y. Globe and then proceeds to explain his differences with the Globe’s stated opinion. For ease of reading, I have broken the article

Thomas Jefferson on the Relationship between the State Governments and the Federal Government.

Thomas Jefferson on the Relationship between the State Governments and the Federal Government.

This selection is an extract from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote to Major Cartwright, dated June 5, 1824. Of interest is how Jefferson decsribes the relationship between the State governments and the federal government coupled with the process for conflict resolution via a convention of States. August Glen-James, editor They

Republican Society of the Town of Newark (New Jersey): Newark Gazette—19 March 1794

Republican Society of the Town of Newark (New Jersey): Newark Gazette—19 March 1794

Here is an interesting read from the era that produced America's first party struggles in the wake of the Constitution's ratification and implementation. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > It must be the mechanics and farmers or the poorer class of people (as they are generally called) that must support the freedom

"The Spirit of Governments," Essay by James Madison for the "National Gazette," 18 February 1792--excerpt

"The Spirit of Governments," Essay by James Madison for the "National Gazette," 18 February 1792--excerpt

“No government is perhaps reducible to a sole principle of operation,” Madison wrote. Rather, he theorized, “different and often heterogeneous principles mingle their influence in the administration” of government. Madison’s essay for the National Gazette, from which this post comes, is in reference to Montesquieu’s assertion that fear,

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution: Thoughts by Robert Toombs

Anti Federalist

The Articles of Confederation and the Constitution: Thoughts by Robert Toombs

Robert Toombs was a Georgia politician who served in the United States House of Representatives & Senate, and then served in the Confederate government after secession. His criticism of the Constitution of 1787 is not idiosyncratic as many amongst the Founders and others in subsequent generations voiced concerns about the motivations

A Strict or Loose Interpretation of the Constitution: Jefferson v. Hamilton--February 1791

A Strict or Loose Interpretation of the Constitution: Jefferson v. Hamilton--February 1791

The development and ratification of the 1787 Constitution was a polarizing event. The document itself was a hard-fought compromise in the Convention with some notable attendees refusing to sign it. Then, upon its promulgation to the several States, factions arose to support and oppose its ratification. Opponents of the Constitution

Sectionalism & A Silent Conspiracy: Thoughts by Richard Henry Lee, 1787

Sectionalism & A Silent Conspiracy: Thoughts by Richard Henry Lee, 1787

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution for independence from Britain in the Continental Congress. Subsequent to this resolution, a committee was formed to write a declaration of causes for independence. As most know, Thomas Jefferson penned said declaration, took advice from committee members, John Adams and

John Marshall and the Supreme Court: Thoughts by William Leggett, July 28, 1835

John Marshall and the Supreme Court: Thoughts by William Leggett, July 28, 1835

Chief Justice John Marshall died July 6, 1835. After paying homage to Marshall’s patriotism, intellect, and contributions to the country, William Leggett wrote an editorial wherein he duly mourned Marshall’s passing and then brought his observations to this point: “The enormous powers of the Supreme tribunal of the

The Constitution without a Bill of Rights: Thoughts by Roger Sherman, November 22, 1787

The Constitution without a Bill of Rights: Thoughts by Roger Sherman, November 22, 1787

When the Constitutional Convention had done its work and the Constitution was conveyed to the several States for consideration, some rose to support and others to oppose the document via convention debates, newspaper editorials and the like. In general, supporters were known as Federalists and opponents Anti-Federalists. One Anti-Federalist criticism

Representation in the House: Thoughts by Fisher Ames, 1788

Representation in the House: Thoughts by Fisher Ames, 1788

In the Massachusetts Convention, 15 January 1788, as the provision of the Constitution were being reviewed and debated, some felt that election to the House should be an annual affair as a safeguard for the people's liberty. Fisher Ames defended the Constitutional provision for a biennial election in the lower

"The Nature of Political Abuses . . . ." Thoughts by William Leggett, January 3, 1835.

General Interest

"The Nature of Political Abuses . . . ." Thoughts by William Leggett, January 3, 1835.

William Leggett, always concerned with government abuse, had an interesting take on the "nature of political abuses." This is short, but is a thought-provoking observation. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > It is the nature of political abuses, to be always on the increase, unless arrested by the virtue, intelligence and firmness

Marxism vs. Liberalism: Thoughts by Ludwig von Mises

General Interest

Marxism vs. Liberalism: Thoughts by Ludwig von Mises

In this selection, Mises characterizes Marx's work and comparaes it, vis-a-vis, with the old "Liberalism" with which Marxism was in conflict. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > The rapid expansion of Socialism has been compared to that of Christianity. More appropriate, perhaps, would be a comparison with Islam, which inspired the sons