The Claremont Institute’s Post

Can the roots of today's political polarization be traced back to the wisdom of our founding fathers? Federalist Paper Number 10 by James Madison offers insights that resonate with the challenges we face in our current political landscape. Join host Charlie Jett on a historical exploration of Madison's arguments on factionalism and the importance of a unified government. Discover why Madison believed that factions, an inevitable part of human nature, could both endanger and enrich the fabric of democracy, and how a well-constructed federal system could temper their effects. In this episode of "Making of a Great America," you'll gain a deeper understanding of Madison's belief in the power of federalism and the critical checks and balances it provides. Madison's essay underscores the necessity of balancing diverse interests and maintaining a stable government, a message that holds powerful relevance today. As we unpack Madison's insights, we'll explore how his advocacy for a strong federal union acts as a safeguard against the tyranny of factions, and why his timeless arguments continue to influence the principles of governance in the United States. Sit back and immerse yourself in the enduring wisdom that shapes our nation. https://lnkd.in/eZVzzzBn

Today's post is on "Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point," by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. The authors examine our form of democracy and its potential sliding, with setting forth some factors that must exist for political parties to be functioning in a two party system. It is a worthy read and raises interesting questions and offers some thoughts on what might be done, given that no democracy such as our one has perished. The book can be found at https://lnkd.in/gxmM2MsK.

"Stewart is himself a strange guide to politics. In many ways, he is the ultimate British insider". For our latest journal, Miles Bennington, reviews Rory Stewart’s book, Politics on the Edge: A Memoir from Within. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ez_u7J-7 #politics #government #parliament #conservativeparty #bookreview #uk #ukpolitics

Excellent article, short but meaty. A brief history of US's paties evolutions from the 19th Century to the present. Enjoy the reading. https://lnkd.in/eyuZy9cP

Happy Constitution Day! I recently read Yuval Levin's brilliant new book, "American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation—and Could Again". It's the kind of book that should be included in AP American history, college courses on political science and American history, and law school seminars on the Constitution. Yuval has lots of compelling lessons on federalism, pluralism, the importance of institutions, the nationalization of our politics, the specific ways that Congress is failing, Madison's vision vs. Woodrow Wilson's, the problems with the administrative state, and the ways in which the Constitution not only restrains the worst impulses of the majority but also shapes and improves public behavior. The most frequent phrase in the book is some variation of how the Constitution helps us "act together even when we don't think alike." I counted 16 times. One of my favorite passages is the final two paragraphs: “American politics is an endless argument among people who share a history, a geography, a culture, a national character, and a set of broad commitments in common and who owe each other something. We sometimes disagree intensely, but what we disagree about is how to live out the shared promise of our country together. Those with whom we disagree in our society are not our enemies; they are our neighbors. They are not out to do harm to our country; they differ with us about what would be good for it. To love our country is to love them too—even when they do not make it easy. We should not allow ourselves to fall into hysterical fear of the supposed advances and victories of these ideological adversaries. They are struggling and mostly failing, just as we are. Our system of government makes sure that they have to persuade a substantial portion of our society for an extended period of time before they could get their way on any matter of real substance, just as we do. This helps us keep our balance as a nation, and avoid large mistakes. And it forces us to act together, even when we do not think alike.  “The Constitution thereby offers us the hope of greater unity. We should be cheered by that hope. And we should be profoundly grateful for the glorious fact that we all get to be Americans together.” Russell Roberts hosted an excellent podcast interview with Yuval, which is a great summary of the book. https://lnkd.in/ggz9-hsp American Enterprise Institute

I'm excited to share my second publication, which delves into the intersection of Gen Z and politics. In this piece, I explore how the next generation views politics and what that means for the future of our country. Published on April 17th, 2024, this article provides valuable insights into the changing landscape of American politics. As we look towards the future, it's important to understand the perspectives of younger generations and how they will shape our political discourse. Check out my latest piece to learn more.

Political commentary, insight and wisdom, from Victor Davis Hanson.

I had no idea these things were possible with AI. Check out this essay to learn more about what we may be dealing with.

Join us for the book launch of "Why Does Everything Have to Be About Race?" and explore the complexities and controversies surrounding race and politics. I am excited to be moderating this conversation. https://lnkd.in/grP-XkZq