Political Philosophy - Raw History (Page 4)

Of the Republican institutions of the United States, and what their chances of duration are: Thoughts by Alexis de Tocqueville

The Union is an accident, which will only last as long as circumstances are favorable to its existence . . .

How Free Governments are to be framed so as to last, and how they differ from such as are arbitrary: John Trenchard, Cato’s Letters, No. 61, 13 Jan. 1721

Although written with the English government in mind, this selection addresses principles that apply to all forms of government and all office seekers. Often, works like this don't necessarily reveal something unknown to the reader. Most accept the occurrence of political corruption; however, the eloquence of a gifted author's expression

Founding Era

An Enquiry into the Nature and Extent of Liberty: John Trenchard, 20 Jan. 1721--Cato's Letters, No. 62

Civil society arises in the nexus between principle and policy, and what that society becomes through policy seems often to reflect its principles and philosophical assumptions. This selection investigates the assumption, principle, and concept of liberty according to the thoughts of John Trenchard. In this essay, readers will find some

C Chauncey Burr

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: Thoughts by C. Chauncey Burr, 1864.

One of the central themes of the Civil War was the nature of the Union. Was the Union one of a consolidated nature or was it a federation of sovereign states, each with the ability to determine, for itself, the interpretation of the Constitution and its application within its own

Founding Era

"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine: Excerpts

One of the best known literary works from the Revolutionary War is Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Most know Paine by name but few, in my experience, have actually read Common Sense; consequently, this post contains a number of excerpts from the work that will at least expose readers to many

Founding Era

"Mr. Jefferson's Opinions"

This is extracted from a letter from Mr. Jefferson to Major Cartwright, dated June 5, 1824, from Monticello and addresses the relationship between the states and the federal government. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > They are co-ordinate departments of one simple and integral whole. With respect to our state and federal

Founding Era

The Power of Citizens to Avoid Political Collapse: Thoughts by Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. 1784-1786

Benjamin Lincoln, Jr. was the son of Revolutionary War general, Benjamin Lincoln. He wrote ten essays between 1784 and 1786 on subjects that the editors of this work, referenced below the selection, believe "grew out of a conversation that Massachusetts people were having about the problem of a bicameral legislature

Founding Era

Observations about Hamilton and Adams: by Thomas Jefferson

In 1811, Thomas Jefferson, writing to Dr. Benjamin Rush, has some interesting observations about Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. While serving in the Washington administration, Jefferson was asked by the President to call together the "Heads of departments, and to invite Mr. Adams" to join them in order to make

General Interest

Who Should Be Able to Vote: Thoughts by John Stuart Mill

Universal suffrage is something Western civilization takes as a given. It hasn't always been that way, of course, as access to the franchise has been qualified across time and space. Today, however, most Western countries have universal suffrage for their adult citizens. English philosopher, John Stuart Mill, has some interesting

Anti Federalist

To Make All Necessary and Proper Laws: The Federal Farmer

In this selection, Anti-Federalist writer, The Federal Farmer, expresses concern about the so-called "Elastic Clause" and the potential of it to create an unlimited government. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > But a congress of a different character will not be bound by the constitution to pay respect to those principles. It

Founding Era

A STUDIED BREVITY IN THE CONSTITUTION: THE FEDERAL FARMER

In this post, the Anti-Federalist writer, The Federal Farmer, addressed an interesting concern that the authors of the Constitution assumed a common understanding of some principles and, therefore, did not include explanatory or specific definitions of certain items that could, perhaps, be misconstrued and abused. Here are his thoughts. August

Founding Era

"End of the Common Course and Condition" By William Bradford

Few people know that the Pilgrims experimented with a kind of Christian-inspired communism. In his work, History of Plimoth Plantation, William Bradford wrote about the experience. This post investigates the relevant excerpt. It's important to know that prior to the opening sentence below, Bradford was writing about the hardships the

Founding Era

The Coalescence of a Body Politic

Many salient episodes of United States history deal with the concept and processes of forming unions. What is it that makes political affiliation and union possible? This post addresses some thinking on the subject from two sources. First, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote about the most important elements of union and,

Political Philosophy

Democratic Despotism as described by Alexis de Tocqueville

Historian, Gordon Wood, recounts a Tory’s concern in 1775 that a popular revolutionary legislature could become as tyrannical as the king and deprive people of their individual liberties. John Adams dismissed this concern quipping that, “A democratic despotism is a contradiction in terms.” A few decades later, however, a

Political Philosophy

Methods of Manipulation

The greatest villains in history can teach useful and practical lessons in psychology, sociology, politics and more . . . that is if readers can separate themselves from the visceral revulsion for the person and consume the works for their academic and informative value. Such is the case for these selections from Mein

Political Philosophy

Thoughts on Presidential Terms

At the Constitutional Convention, it was suggested that a president be limited to a single, six-year term. The idea failed; however, it reemerged at least twice in the 19th century. The following excerpts highlight some of the integral thinking on the subject. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A President whose political

Political Philosophy

What is Liberty?

Frederic Bastiat, 1801-1850, was a French economist and writer in the tradition of what would be known today as free market economics. In this selection, Bastiat defines his conception of liberty. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Is not liberty the destruction of all despotism . . . And what is this liberty, whose very

Political Philosophy

Arthur Schopenhauer on Freedom of the Press

Freedom of the Press is a lauded value in the West. The Constitution enshrined its freedom in the First Amendment and it is ever-present in the lives of Americans. Arthur Schopenhauer was a 19th century German philosopher who had an interesting perspective on freedom of the press. It shouldn't be

Miscellaneous

Employing Socialist Methods

Ludwig von Mises was an eyewitness to the rise of socialism and the Bolshevik take-over of Russia. As an economist, he studied socialism and, subsequently, wrote a detailed book on the subject. He had many interesting insights; here is one of them. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > To the first category

Political Philosophy

On the Liberty We Possess

This excerpt investigates the relationship between liberty and government. Sometimes powerful ideas are expressed in few words. Such is the case below. August Glen-James, editor -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > If the Government is restrained form putting its hand in certain particulars upon you, to that extent you are free, and no more. Daniel