Political Philosophy - Raw History (Page 4)

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.

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

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

To Make All Necessary and Proper Laws: The Federal Farmer

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

A STUDIED BREVITY IN THE CONSTITUTION: THE FEDERAL FARMER

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

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

"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

The Coalescence of a Body Politic

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,

Democratic Despotism as described by Alexis de Tocqueville

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

Methods of Manipulation

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

Thoughts on Presidential Terms

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

What is Liberty?

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

Arthur Schopenhauer on Freedom of the Press

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

Employing Socialist Methods

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