Ah, but the Federalist papers were written AFTER the people dumped the tea and the King. Those who remained were indeed of generally shared purpose whereas now, it remains to be seen whether there are enough bonds of common interest or if the time machine has landed a few decades prior to the writing of those papers.
In place of the homogenous commonality of Europeans and Christian, we have the shared experience. Whether we like it or not, the principles of freedom and liberty aren’t quaint, they’re relevant. There will be times, like now, we are tested, but all the more reason to resurrect our founding principles. Call me the eternal optimist but America is great because Americans are good. I don’t let the lesser minority represent the rest of us.
Amazing how relevant today something written hundred's of years ago is.
“Because power is easier to grab when people feel like they're under siege.” A sad but true reality than many already in power know this and use it to their advantage.
Ah, but the Federalist papers were written AFTER the people dumped the tea and the King. Those who remained were indeed of generally shared purpose whereas now, it remains to be seen whether there are enough bonds of common interest or if the time machine has landed a few decades prior to the writing of those papers.
Ah, but the Federalist papers were written AFTER the people dumped the tea and the King. Those who remained were indeed of generally shared purpose whereas now, it remains to be seen whether there are enough bonds of common interest or if the time machine has landed a few decades prior to the writing of those papers.
Scott - What do you think about interdependence in lieu of or in conjunction with unity. I have come to believe that healthy interdependence leads to greater unity and unhealthy interdependence leads to greater conflict. One view of history is that humanity is slowly progressing to a better life as it develops more sophisticated forms of healthy interdependence. In particular, I am thinking about a new book entitled "Inheritance" by Harvey Whitehouse (world renowned anthropologist). Whitehouse talks about the progression from tribe (50 to 150 people), kilotribe (1000s cooperating), megatribe (millions cooperating) to teratribe (a global community). I remain grateful for your thought proving essays!
That’s an interesting question. I think interdependence is a glue when we think in terms of community. The trick is defining or defining how each of us thinks of our community. At one level, we seek safety and comfort, which in the absence of good leadership is often shaped more by conformity. That is we feel safer with what looks like us. I think a loss of institutional faith, while deserved, is eroding our comfort in unhealthy ways. That’s what I see as the root of our present problems.
Yes I agree. I think we need new and better ways of building interdependence (that glue or bond you describe). I have been looking a lot at the work of Neil Postman ("Amusing Ourselves to Death") and thinking about how changes in information technology cause ecological change - the way humans relate to each other and to their institutions. The printing press was the technology of the day for the Federalist Papers and it was also used to cause great harm (i.e., the religious wars that led to the concept of freedom of religion).
Good read, Scott. But I'll buy into the whole unity thing after MAGA stops building its national police force while working to suppress voters, erase history, ignore courts and constitutional mandates, empower a unitary executive, take over sovereign nations, give more wealth to the ultra-wealthy and steal my healthcare and retirement funding.
My purpose in writing these is to view the modern world through a different lens, without buying into the modern divides. When I was in politics, I exploited the us-versus-them dynamic so much that it now seems obvious to me. I've learned it's not all that obvious to everyone else. We have to transcend that, not in Washington, but within ourselves and with each other. No reading ahead, but we'll delve into that more when we get to Federalist No. 10. Thank you for reading and engaging!
Ah, but the Federalist papers were written AFTER the people dumped the tea and the King. Those who remained were indeed of generally shared purpose whereas now, it remains to be seen whether there are enough bonds of common interest or if the time machine has landed a few decades prior to the writing of those papers.
In place of the homogenous commonality of Europeans and Christian, we have the shared experience. Whether we like it or not, the principles of freedom and liberty aren’t quaint, they’re relevant. There will be times, like now, we are tested, but all the more reason to resurrect our founding principles. Call me the eternal optimist but America is great because Americans are good. I don’t let the lesser minority represent the rest of us.
Oh, all right, Scott, I will read the Federalists Papers again. Excellent commentary. Thanks for doing these.
You're making me think. I am grateful.
Somewhere my old Constitutional History professor is smiling at this exercise. Thank you for reading!
Amazing how relevant today something written hundred's of years ago is.
“Because power is easier to grab when people feel like they're under siege.” A sad but true reality than many already in power know this and use it to their advantage.
Thank you for reading. This piece surprised me at how relevant it is today. I'm an optimist, or maybe a sucker.
Ah, but the Federalist papers were written AFTER the people dumped the tea and the King. Those who remained were indeed of generally shared purpose whereas now, it remains to be seen whether there are enough bonds of common interest or if the time machine has landed a few decades prior to the writing of those papers.
Ah, but the Federalist papers were written AFTER the people dumped the tea and the King. Those who remained were indeed of generally shared purpose whereas now, it remains to be seen whether there are enough bonds of common interest or if the time machine has landed a few decades prior to the writing of those papers.
Scott - What do you think about interdependence in lieu of or in conjunction with unity. I have come to believe that healthy interdependence leads to greater unity and unhealthy interdependence leads to greater conflict. One view of history is that humanity is slowly progressing to a better life as it develops more sophisticated forms of healthy interdependence. In particular, I am thinking about a new book entitled "Inheritance" by Harvey Whitehouse (world renowned anthropologist). Whitehouse talks about the progression from tribe (50 to 150 people), kilotribe (1000s cooperating), megatribe (millions cooperating) to teratribe (a global community). I remain grateful for your thought proving essays!
That’s an interesting question. I think interdependence is a glue when we think in terms of community. The trick is defining or defining how each of us thinks of our community. At one level, we seek safety and comfort, which in the absence of good leadership is often shaped more by conformity. That is we feel safer with what looks like us. I think a loss of institutional faith, while deserved, is eroding our comfort in unhealthy ways. That’s what I see as the root of our present problems.
Yes I agree. I think we need new and better ways of building interdependence (that glue or bond you describe). I have been looking a lot at the work of Neil Postman ("Amusing Ourselves to Death") and thinking about how changes in information technology cause ecological change - the way humans relate to each other and to their institutions. The printing press was the technology of the day for the Federalist Papers and it was also used to cause great harm (i.e., the religious wars that led to the concept of freedom of religion).
Good read, Scott. But I'll buy into the whole unity thing after MAGA stops building its national police force while working to suppress voters, erase history, ignore courts and constitutional mandates, empower a unitary executive, take over sovereign nations, give more wealth to the ultra-wealthy and steal my healthcare and retirement funding.
My purpose in writing these is to view the modern world through a different lens, without buying into the modern divides. When I was in politics, I exploited the us-versus-them dynamic so much that it now seems obvious to me. I've learned it's not all that obvious to everyone else. We have to transcend that, not in Washington, but within ourselves and with each other. No reading ahead, but we'll delve into that more when we get to Federalist No. 10. Thank you for reading and engaging!
I enjoy reading and engaging with smart people. Includes you, my friend.