Makers of American Political Thought Series posted February 20, 2013 by Joseph Postell, Ph.D.
Calvin Coolidge: Forefather of Our Conservatism
Calvin Coolidge is the only President in American history born on the Fourth of July. It is appropriate that he bears this distinction, since Coolidge—more so than any other President of the 20th century—embodied a dedication to the principles that the Founders fought to establish in the American Revolution. In addition, he lived at a time when these principles came under…
Special Report posted December 14, 2012 by Joseph Postell, Ph.D.
From Administrative State to Constitutional Government
Introduction
Part 1: What Is the Administrative State?
Part 2: The Problem of the Administrative State
Part 3: The Alternative—Constitutional Government
Part 4: What Can Be Done?
Conclusion
Abstract: The administrative state is an assault on constitutional principles—government by consent, the separation of powers, and the rights of…
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Video Recorded on April 17, 2009
Soft Despotism, Democracy's Drift: What de Tocqueville Teach
Despotism can come in many forms. In Democracy in America, Alexis
de Tocqueville cautioned readers about the possibility that
democracy would result in a soft despotism of expanding
paternalistic state power that gradually undermines self-government…
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Video Recorded on April 1, 2009
The End of Conservatism?
In the wake of the 2008 election and the aggressively liberal
thrust of the Obama Administration, many pundits, conservative as
well as liberal, are declaring that the era of modern Conservatism,
launched under Ronald Reagan a quarter of a century ag…
WebMemo posted December 14, 2007 by Joseph Postell, Ph.D.
Securing Liberty: The Purpose and Importance of the Bill of Rights
National Bill of Rights Day customarily occupies a minor place
on our calendars, if it occupies a place at all. It falls every
year on December 15, commemorating the ratification of the first 10
amendments to our Constitution, which occurred on that day in 1791.
Bill of Rights Day is a day for rising above the commotion over the
meaning of each specific amendment. It…