Framing

Jan 24, 2016 22:08


From a discussion on Citizen Tom’s blog on the forms of government, I wrote a bit on of how the US Constitution was inspired and framed:

There are conceptual hints in Scripture and remarks by Jesus on what forms of government are disfavored, but the Framers took inspiration from Aristotle. Many Enlightenment thinkers tended to downplay Aristotle, ( Read more... )

america, constitution, history

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deckardcanine January 24 2016, 23:30:36 UTC
The Collier Brothers' Decision in Philadelphia said that members of the Constitutional Convention held that the biggest problem with democracy, at least in its purest form, is the readiness with which it devolves into anarchy. And whatever the merits of anarchy, that is even less stable and makes way for tyranny anew.

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level_head January 24 2016, 23:55:47 UTC
Agreed; the point was made by Aristotle as well. Anarchy is actually only a transition point, and does not last more than a moment. The vacuum is inevitably filled by local bosses, neighborhood tyrants, community warlords or something similar. Tyranny, as you said.

===|==============/ Keith DeHavelle

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makovette January 25 2016, 00:22:35 UTC
Fascinating reading, one of the most interesting foundational blogs on this topic that you've written. I'm fond of saying context is king at work when complicated discussions are in progress; your article above provides that in spades.

Please consider this encouragement to continue :)

CYa!
Mako

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level_head January 25 2016, 02:27:18 UTC
Thank you, sir. I have been thinking and learning much about the administrative state, SCOTUS decisions, and other topics from the immediacy of terrorism to the arcane consideration of the merits of Chevron deference versus Skidmore deference. Much of it strikes me as rather unappealing fodder for blog posts, but I will try to be more active here.

===|==============/ Keith DeHavelle

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c_eagle January 25 2016, 09:36:19 UTC
Riveting Truly! *another intent reader!*

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froganon January 25 2016, 06:45:11 UTC
History is important and the study of our Constitution is a noble one. By all means, continue this topic and others like it as you see fit.

Thanks!

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anonymous January 26 2016, 10:55:42 UTC
"The US Constitution is not perfect, and certain ambiguities have been taken advantage of"
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In my view some if not most of the imperfection, is not in direction (individual liberty and protection from group power, of any form) but in the degree of comprehensive success in the intended direction.

For instance the protection against state establishment of any religion has been very successful, but the protection against the "necessary evil" of government itself, that has eroded over time. Protection against group power in the form of corporations has also been not as successful as one would hope. (The Robber Barron era for instance)

Currently IMV, the combination of the two, growing Government power infusing chosen industry with advantages and public money, and infesting our education system, primary through academia, is a cancer destroying the ideals this nation was founded on.

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