American Exceptionalism Revealed

Essay #1 — HISTORIC TOPIC #1: Plato, Aristotle, and Ancient Greek Thought on Human Nature and Good Government – How they succeeded and how they failed.

• Wisdom of the Founders: Framing a Constitution on Human Nature by Christopher C. Burkett, Associate Professor of History and Political Science; Director, Ashbrook Scholar Program, Ashland University.

Essay #2 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of Plato, Aristotle, and Ancient Greek Thought – Their thinking and debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses and failures.

• American Founders’ Reliance on Western Tradition: Correcting Failures of Plato, Aristotle, and Ancient Greek Thought by Samuel Postell, Executive Director, The Center for Liberty and Learning; Instructor of Government and Economics, Founders Classical Academy.

Essay #3 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of Plato, Aristotle, and Ancient Greek Thought – Specifics in the Constitution dealing with how to prevent the previous regime’s failures; see requirements for electors and elected officials.

• The Five Principles That Render the American Republic More Stable by Samuel Postell, Executive Director, The Center for Liberty and Learning; Instructor of Government and Economics, Founders Classical Academy.

Essay #4 — HISTORIC TOPIC #2: The Constitutions of Athens and Sparta (Democracy and Oligarchy and Instabilities of Each) – How they succeeded and how they failed.

• Constitutions of Athens, Sparta, and Elements American Founders Changed to Form an Effective, Stable Government by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #5 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Constitution of Athens and Sparta – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalists, but rather a commentary on their corresponding prescience. Madison focuses extensively on the distinctions between the U.S. Constitution and ancient Foundings in Federalist No. 38; Fed. 10, 18, 38, 55, 63.

• How the Flaws in Classical Governance Informed Debates Over the American Constitution by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #6 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: — Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Constitution of Athens and Sparta – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent the previous regime’s failures; Focus on limited/enumerated powers of Congress in Article I, Section 8, and the ratification/amendment process.

• How Greek and Roman Political Structures Informed the Architecture of the American Constitution and Government by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #7 — HISTORIC TOPIC #3: — The Stoics and Classic Roman Thought on Human Nature and Good Government (Cicero and Universal; Law; Polybius and Balanced Government) – How they succeeded and how they failed.

• The Stoics and Classic Roman Thought on Human Nature and Good Government by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #8 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: — Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Stoics & Classic Roman Thought on Human Nature & Good Government – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. Fed. 47, 51, 57, 66.

• Human Nature and Forming Good Government: Cautions American Founders Learned from Studying Ancient Political Philosophies by Ron Meier, West Point Graduate and Vietnam War Veteran; Constituting America Senior Essay Contest Winner; Author, Common Sense Rekindled: A Rejuvenation of the American Experiment.

Essay #9 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: — Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of The Stoics & Classic Roman Thought on Human Nature & Good Government – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures.

• Federalists and Anti-federalists on Classic Roman Thought, Human Nature, and Forming a Successful U.S. Constitution by Ron Meier, West Point Graduate and Vietnam War Veteran; Constituting America Senior Essay Contest Winner; Author, Common Sense Rekindled: A Rejuvenation of the American Experiment.

Essay #10 — HISTORIC TOPIC #4: The Roman Republic (From Aristocracy To Dictatorship) – How they succeeded & how they failed.

• The Roman Republic: From Aristocracy to Dictatorship by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #11 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Roman Republic – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalists but rather a commentary on their corresponding prescience. Focus on Federalist Papers view of executive and also on improvements to Roman Senate by Madison. Fed. 10, 34, 41, 70.

• Why Have There Been No Military Coups in the United States? by Will Morrisey, Professor Emeritus of Politics, Hillsdale College; Editor and Publisher, Will Morrisey Reviews.

Essay #12 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Roman Republic; Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures – Necessary & proper clause in Article I section 8; Nature of the vesting clause of executive power in Article II.

• Necessary and Proper by the U.S. Constitution: The Founders on Limiting Federal Control in Response to Roman Republic History by Daniel A. Cotter, Attorney and Counselor; Author of The Chief Justices; A past president of The Chicago Bar Association.

Essay #13 — HISTORIC TOPIC #5: Five Hundred Years of the Republic of Venice (What is a Republic) – How they succeeded & how they failed.

• Five Hundred Years of the Republic of Venice – What Went Wrong by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #14 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of Five Hundred Years of the Republic of Venice – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalists but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. See Federalist No. 39 on “what is a republic?” See James Madison’s “Vices” on “republican principle” & majority rule. Fed. 9, 14, 39, 51, 52, 55, 57. No titles of nobility may be granted by the U.S. [Article I, Section 9] nor by any state [Article I, Section 10]; nor may a person holding the office of honor in federal government receive a title from a foreign country [Article I, Section 9].

• Preventing Government Abuse: Federalist and Anti-federalist Debates on History of the Republic of Venice to Avert Concentration of Powers by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #15 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of Five Hundred Years of the Republic of Venice –Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures; Republican Guaranty clause.

• Guarantee Clause of the U.S. Constitution: Republic of Venice, and Founding America on a Process of Governance Through Elections by Daniel A. Cotter, Attorney and Counselor; Author of The Chief Justices; A past president of The Chicago Bar Association.

Essay #16 — HISTORIC TOPIC #6: Holy Roman Empire (Imperium in Imperio, Ruler Elected by Electoral College) – How they succeeded & how they failed.

• Electoral Structure and Allegiances of the Holy Roman Empire by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #17 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of Holy Roman Empire – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. See Federalist #18-20 on problems with ancient confederacies – failures to act because of disagreements between member states. Fed. 19, 22, 43.

• Ancient Confederacies, the Holy Roman Empire, and Weaknesses of Divisive Executive Authority by Christopher C. Burkett, Associate Professor of History and Political Science; Director, Ashbrook Scholar Program, Ashland University.

Essay #18 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: — Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of Holy Roman Empire – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures; Modes of an election, especially for executives.

• U.S. Constitution Safeguards for the Whole Union: Disunity Prevention the Founders Built in After Studying the Holy Roman Empire by Christopher C. Burkett, Associate Professor of History and Political Science; Director, Ashbrook Scholar Program, Ashland University.

Essay #19 — HISTORIC TOPIC #7: United Provinces of the Netherlands (Federal Head Over Constituent Sovereigns) – How they succeeded & how they failed.

• United Provinces of the Netherlands and the Articles of Confederation: Factors Influencing Design Toward a Stable U.S. Constitution by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #20 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of United Provinces of the Netherlands – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. See Federalist #18-20 on problems with ancient confederacies – failures to act because of disagreements between member states. Fed. 15, 20, 54.

• Flexibility to Act Without Violating the U.S. Constitution: America’s Founders Discuss History of Policy Vices Within the United Netherlands by Christopher C. Burkett, Associate Professor of History and Political Science; Director, Ashbrook Scholar Program, Ashland University.

Essay #21 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: — Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of United Provinces of the Netherlands – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures. Supremacy clause; Article I section 10 (limits on state power); Article IV (on relations between the states).

• The 1579 Netherlands Constitution and the Founders’ Vision for Careful Balance of Federal Powers While Protecting the States by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #22 — HISTORIC TOPIC #8: Machiavelli & the Science of Politics (The Pursuit & Maintenance of Power by the Ruler) – How they succeeded & how they failed.

• Machiavelli, Science of Politics, and the Founders’ Solution to Prevent Government Fortifying Against the American People by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #23 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of Machiavelli & the Science of Politics – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. Machiavelli calls for an energetic executive to do the things necessary for the security of both his power & the lives & property of his subjects; the problem is the lack of checks on executive authority (at least in The Prince). Contrast Federalist #51 on checks & balances with Federalist 72 on the need for the energetic executive. See Federalist 23 for the need for energy in government to achieve necessary ends. Fed. 31 (“science” of politics to prevent excess power). Fed. 37 (limitations of the science of politics). Fed. 51.

• Federalists and Anti-federalists on Machiavelli and a Well-constructed Government Able To Check Attempts To Seize and Hold Power by Ron Meier, West Point Graduate and Vietnam War Veteran; Constituting America Senior Essay Contest Winner; Author, Common Sense Rekindled: A Rejuvenation of the American Experiment.

Essay #24 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of Machiavelli & the Science of Politics – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures. Impeachment, treason, legislative process.

• Founding Fathers on Designing a Constitution for Serving the American People, Not a Government of Machiavellian Authority by Ron Meier, West Point Graduate and Vietnam War Veteran; Constituting America Senior Essay Contest Winner; Author, Common Sense Rekindled: A Rejuvenation of the American Experiment.

Essay #25 — HISTORIC TOPIC #9: The “Sun King,” Louis XIV (The King As Sovereign) – How they succeeded & how they failed.

• “Sun King,” Louis XIV, and an American Constitution That Originated From the People as Sovereign by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #26 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the “Sun King,” Louis XIV – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. Fed. 69, 70.

• The Federalists on Diffusion of Power in American Government to Thwart Absolute Monarchy as Held by King Louis XIV by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #27 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the “Sun King,” Louis XIV – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures.

• U.S. Constitution’s Presidential Limits: The Framers’ Opposition To King Louis XIV “I Am the State” Monarchy Into Despotism by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #28 — HISTORIC TOPIC #10: King Versus Parliament in 17th Century England (From Absolutism to Constitutional Monarchy; Montesquieu) – How they succeeded & how they failed.

• King vs. Parliament in 17th Century England: From Absolutism to Constitutional Monarchy, Influence on American Governing by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #29 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of King Versus Parliament in 17th Century England – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. See Federalist #68 contrasting constitutional executive to a monarch. See Brutus, Cato No. 4, & Old Whig No. 5 on dangers of absolute/hereditary monarchy. Fed. 26, 47, 52.

• Parliament in 17th Century England and Why America Does Not Have a King by Adam M. Carrington, Associate Professor of Politics, Hillsdale College; Author, Justice Stephen Field’s Cooperative Constitution of Liberty: Liberty in Full.

Essay #30 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of King Versus Parliament in 17th Century England – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent the previous regime’s failures.

• King and Parliament in 17th Century England vs. a Self-governing People and President in the U.S. Constitution by Adam M. Carrington, Associate Professor of Politics, Hillsdale College; Author, Justice Stephen Field’s Cooperative Constitution of Liberty: Liberty in Full.

Essay #31 — HISTORIC TOPIC #11: The Mayflower Compact & the City of God on Earth (Government by Consent; Government in the Service of God) – The genesis of self-government, the strengths & weaknesses.

• Consent of the Self-governed: Mayflower Compact and the City of God on Earth by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #32 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Mayflower Compact & the City of God on Earth – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures – or in THIS case, IMPROVED upon or BUILT upon their genius. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. See Federalist & Anti-Federalist literature on American exceptionalism – what makes America special? Federalist #37: “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently & signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution.” Brutus I’s use of Biblical language to describe the importance of the ratification question. Fed. 37, 69. Religious test oaths were prohibited under Article VI, Section 3. Religious liberty & 1st Amendment; Virginia Memorial & Remonstrance of 1786, as well as Statute for Religious Freedom of that year. Massachusetts Constitution of 1780.

• “City Upon a Hill” and the Mayflower Compact: Forming a Constitutional Republic Sustained Through Civic Virtue, Natural Rights and Liberty by Tony Williams, Author of six books including Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America; Senior Teaching Fellow, Bill of Rights Institute; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #33 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Mayflower Compact & the City of God on Earth – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures; Preamble: “Secure the blessings of liberty.”

• Building America’s Political House on Solid Ground: Foundations of Faith, Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower Compact by Adam M. Carrington, Associate Professor of Politics, Hillsdale College; Author, Justice Stephen Field’s Cooperative Constitution of Liberty: Liberty in Full.

Essay #34 — HISTORIC TOPIC #12: The Creation of Colonial Governments in British North America (Types of Charters; Eventual Failure & Royal Control) – How they succeeded & how they failed.

• Royal, Self-governing, and Proprietary Colonies: Advancing From British Rule Toward American Independence by Tom Hand, Creator and Publisher, Americana Corner; West Point Graduate; Serves on the Board of Trustees, American Battlefield Trust and the National Park Foundation’s National Council.

Essay #35 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Creation of Colonial Governments in British North America – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. Thomas Jefferson, “Rights of the British Colonies”? David Ramsay (Federalist historian) on colonial histories & abuses by British; Brutus I against expansion/empire; Fed. 52.

• Virginia’s House of Burgesses, Rights of the British Colonies, and Establishing Representative Governing in America by Tom Hand, Creator and Publisher, Americana Corner; West Point Graduate; Serves on the Board of Trustees, American Battlefield Trust and the National Park Foundation’s National Council.

Essay #36 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Creation of Colonial Governments in British North America – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures. Addition of territory/admission of new states.

• The U.S. Constitution on Managing British Colonial Governance in North America and Careful Admission of New States to the Union by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #37 — HISTORIC TOPIC #13: The American Declaration of Independence (Musings on Human Nature & the Basis of Government; Revolution) – The genius of the genesis.

• Where No Government Had Gone Before: The Enduring Success of America’s Declaration of Independence by Tom Hand, Creator and Publisher, Americana Corner; West Point Graduate; Serves on the Board of Trustees, American Battlefield Trust and the National Park Foundation’s National Council.

Essay #38 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful CONTRIBUTING Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist (FOUNDING FATHERS) to the American Declaration of Independence – See Federalist #40 on right to revolution, and #43 on the transcendent right to preservation by the law of nature; Fed. 28, 39, 40, 49, 78.

• From a Declaration of Independence to a Constitution: The Laws of Nature and Preservation of the United States of America by J. Eric Wise, Partner, Alston & Bird.

Essay #39 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful WISDOM from FOUNDING FATHERS to PRESERVE the American Declaration of Independence.

• Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God: Preserving the Purpose of the Declaration of Independence Through the United States Constitution by Tony Williams, Author of six books including Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America; Senior Teaching Fellow, Bill of Rights Institute; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #40 — HISTORIC TOPIC #14: Chaos & Experimentation in the Early State Constitutions (Legislative Dominance; Who Makes Constitutions) – The strengths & weaknesses.

• Framing Early State Constitutions and Developing a Republican Form of Government, Under Threat of Battle by James C. Clinger, Professor of Political Science, Murray State University; Member, Murray-Calloway County Transit Authority Board; Past President, Kentucky Political Science Association.

Essay #41 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful WISDOM of FOUNDING FATHERS to the EXPERIMENTATION in the Early State Constitutions – FOUNDERS WISDOM & lessons noted to this experimentation; John Adams “Thoughts on Government”; James Madison, “Vices of the Political System of the United States”; Federalist No. 9 & 10 on “petty republics” & problem of faction in states; Fed. 47, 48, 53, 81, 83.

• Successful Government and Forming State Constitutions on All Political Power Being Vested in and Derived From the People Only by Adam M. Carrington, Associate Professor of Politics, Hillsdale College; Author, Justice Stephen Field’s Cooperative Constitution of Liberty: Liberty in Full.

Essay #42 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the EXPERIMENTATION in the Early State Constitutions – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures; The legislative process on Constitution; function of the federal courts & judicial review.

• Laboring Over Ingredients for Good Government: America’s Founding Generation on Drafting Early State Constitutions by Gary Porter, Executive Director, Constitution Leadership Initiative.

Essay #43 — HISTORIC TOPIC #15: From the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution (Government in Stasis, What Is/Are the United States) – Strengths & weaknesses.

• From the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union to a United States Constitution by Tom Hand, Creator and Publisher, Americana Corner; West Point Graduate; Serves on the Board of Trustees, American Battlefield Trust and the National Park Foundation’s National Council.

Essay #44 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the EXPERIMENTATION of Articles of Confederation to the Constitution – Brutus I on nature of the Union; Hamilton to James Duane, 3 September 1780; Madison, “Vices of the Political System of the U.S.”; Federalist #15 on the situation under the Articles of Confederation; Generally Fed. 15-22; Fed. 39, 40, 43; Anti-Fed.: Eleventh Letter of Centinel, in Independent Gazetteer, January 16, 1788, in McMaster & Stone, Pennsylvania & the Federal Constitution, (1888), pp. 634-637; also in Morton Borden, The Antifederalist Papers, (1965), Antifederalist No. 6.

• Articles of Confederation, Designing a United States Constitution, and Empowering a National Government While Preventing a Tyranny by Tony Williams, Author of six books including Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America; Senior Teaching Fellow, Bill of Rights Institute; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #45 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: From Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Articles of Confederation & the Constitution – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent weaknesses in Articles; How the Constitution creates a “more perfect Union.”

• Toward a More Perfect Union: Correcting the Articles of Confederation Through the United States Constitution by Gary Porter, Executive Director, Constitution Leadership Initiative.

Essay #46 — HISTORIC TOPIC #16: The Bill of Rights (Why? Types of rights? Source of rights?) – Why a bill of rights…what in constitution & fears of big government warranted it such as: where England failed with Magna Carta.

• Purpose for a Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution by Tom Hand, Creator and Publisher, Americana Corner; West Point Graduate; Serves on the Board of Trustees, American Battlefield Trust and the National Park Foundation’s National Council.

Essay #47 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful COLLECTIVE Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the NEEDS of the Bill of Rights – Brutus IV; Federalist No. 84; Madison, “Letter to Jefferson,” 17 October 1788; Madison, Speech in the House of Representatives, 8 June 1789; Anti-Fed.: An Old Whig, in The Massachusetts Gazette, November 27, 1787; also in Morton Borden, The Antifederalist Papers, (1965), Antifederalist 18-20; Fed. 84; Declaration of Independence, petitions from states during ratification, debates in Congress.

• Indispensable Contents of a Bill of Rights for the United States Constitution: Federalist and Anti-federalist Perspectives by Eric C. Sands, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, Berry College.

Essay #48 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful FOUNDERS Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution That WAS a BILL OF RIGHTS & How LIMITED GOVERNMENT IN CONSTITUTION WAS a BILL of Rights – There are several places in the Constitution (before the Bill of Rights) in which rights are protected by provisions: e.g., no titles of nobility, no ex post facto laws, no suspension of habeas corpus unless invasion/rebellion, no bills of attainder, etc.

• The United States Constitution as a Bill of Rights by Gary Porter, Executive Director, Constitution Leadership Initiative.

Essay #49 — HISTORIC TOPIC #17: The Importance of Virtue: John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Taylor of Caroline (Education & Training – Virtue As Fundamental to Republican Government; Separation of Powers & Other “Auxiliary Precautions”).

• America’s Founders on Virtue as Fundamental to Republican Government by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #50 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful CORRESPONDING Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the WISDOM of the Importance of Virtue – John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Taylor of Caroline. John Adams letters to Abigail Adams, Mercy Warren, Thomas Jefferson Federalist No. 51, 55; Adam’s writings in 1776, 1798; Fed. 56, 76.

• Keeping a Republic: America’s Founders on the Role of Public and Private Virtue by Gary Porter, Executive Director, Constitution Leadership Initiative.

Essay #51 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful CORRESPONDING Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Importance of Virtue – John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, John Taylor of Caroline.

• Upon a Need of Virtue to Self-govern: Penning a United States Constitution for a Free and Independent Nation by Andrea Criswell, Wife, Mother, and Homeschool Teacher with a focus on Christian Worldview, Biology, and the United States Constitution.

Essay #52 — HISTORIC TOPIC #18: The French Revolution & the Reign of Terror (Violent Revolutions Versus Peaceful Change) – The success & failures of the French Revolution. Jefferson’s naïveté & Adam’s prescience.

• American Revolution Principles of Natural Rights Republicanism and Constitutionalism vs. the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror by Tony Williams, Author of six books including Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America; Senior Teaching Fellow, Bill of Rights Institute; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #53 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the French Revolution & the Reign of Terror – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. Federalist No. 1: “Reflection & choice.” Fed. 40, 49, 78.

• Ou La Mort or Deliberation: The French Revolution and the American Revolution by J. Eric Wise, Partner, Alston & Bird.

Essay #54 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the French Revolution & the Reign of Terror – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures.

• American Founding Observations of the French Revolution That Influenced the United States Constitution and Governing by Daniel A. Cotter, Attorney and Counselor; Author of The Chief Justices; A past president of The Chicago Bar Association.

Essay #55 — HISTORIC TOPIC #19: The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (Preventing One-Man Rule Through Layered Election & Separation of Powers) – The essayist will talk about why and how Napoleon succeeded. Also how he manipulated & excited people to think he could succeed.

• Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and America’s Rejection of One-man Rule by Adam M. Carrington, Associate Professor of Politics, Hillsdale College; Author, Justice Stephen Field’s Cooperative Constitution of Liberty: Liberty in Full.

Essay #56 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience; Fed. 38, 70

• Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Revolution, and America’s Protection of the Newly Formed United States Against Tyranny by James C. Clinger, Professor of Political Science, Murray State University; Member, Murray-Calloway County Transit Authority Board; Past President, Kentucky Political Science Association.

Essay #57 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s failures.

• Folly of a Dictatorship Led by a Single Tyrant: The Undoing of Napoleon Bonaparte vs. America’s Constitutionally Constrained Executive by James C. Clinger, Professor of Political Science, Murray State University; Member, Murray-Calloway County Transit Authority Board; Past President, Kentucky Political Science Association.

Essay #58 — HISTORIC TOPIC #20: The Communist Manifesto (Views On Human Nature & Class Loyalties; Madisonian Pluralism) – Why & how the Communist Manifesto manipulated & excited people to think it could work. Additionally, the obvious & subsequent failure. In essence: success (manipulations) & failures with its theories.

• Avoiding the Dustbin of History: Failures of Communism and America’s Constitutional Foresight on Human Nature, Self-governance, and Civil Society by Tony Williams, Author of six books including Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America; Senior Teaching Fellow, Bill of Rights Institute; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #59 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Communist Manifesto. – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience; Federalist No. 10 on human nature & protection of property; Fed. 10, 51, 54, 70.

• Contrasting Visions: The United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution vs. the Communist Manifesto by Jay McConville, Military Veteran; Aerospace and Defense Industry Executive; Founder, Emerald Collaborative Partners; Doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Essay #60 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Communist Manifesto – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent previous regime’s manipulations & failures; How the Constitution protects one’s property but minimizes class distinctions concerning rights.

• Property Ownership and Political Stability: The U.S. Constitution’s Design to Secure Individual Rights the Communist Manifesto Abolishes by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #61 — HISTORIC TOPIC #21: The American Civil War: Disunion & Reconstruction (What is the Union; Secession; “An Indestructible; Union Composed of Indestructible States”).

• The American Civil War and Consequences of Secession: Defining the Union, Role of the People and the States by Eric C. Sands, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, Berry College.

Essay #62 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the American Civil War. This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalists but a commentary on their corresponding prescience; Federalist #2-4 on the benefits of Union; Federalist #5-6 on dangers of sectionalism (including on economic grounds); Fed. 42, 59.

• Key to Subverting the Violence of Faction: America’s Founding Design of the United States Constitution Against Disunion by Samuel Postell, Executive Director, The Center for Liberty and Learning; Instructor of Government and Economics, Founders Classical Academy.

Essay #63 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the American Civil War: Disunion & Reconstruction – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent such disunion; Nature of representation in the House & Senate; electoral college mode of electing President.

• Constitution Framers, the American Civil War, and Preserving the Union Through Compromise, Virtue and Statesmanship by Samuel Postell, Executive Director, The Center for Liberty and Learning; Instructor of Government and Economics, Founders Classical Academy.

Essay #64 — HISTORIC TOPIC #22: World War I & the Collapse of the Old World Order (Federalist 6/7 & Conflicts Among Republics); The success of the Old World Order & where it failed & how it led to WWI.

• World War I and Commercial Rivalries: The American Founders on Solving Trade Disputes Threatening the Union by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #65 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of World War I & the Collapse of the Old World Order – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalists but a commentary on their corresponding prescience. Fed. 6, 7, 74, 75.

• Foresight on Consequences of World War I: America’s Founding Proposal for a Constitution To Unite the States by Thomas Bruscino, Associate Professor of History in the Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, United States Army War College; Author, A Nation Forged in War: How World War II Taught Americans to Get Along.

Essay #66 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of World War I & the Collapse of the Old World Order – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent the previous regime’s failures.

• Founding Guard Against an Unchecked American Executive: World War I and Constraints by the U.S. Constitution on Presidential Powers by Stephen Tootle, Professor of History, College of the Sequoias; Honored Visiting Graduate Faculty in History and Government, Ashland University.

Essay #67 — HISTORIC TOPIC #23: Stalin & the Military Regime; The use of persuasion & how Stalin slyly manipulated the people & situation into a Military Regime.

• Founding Tradition of U.S. Armed Forces Protecting Liberty and Prosperity vs. Joseph Stalin’s Military Regime by J. Eric Wise, Partner, Alston & Bird.

Essay #68 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of Stalin & the Military Regime – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience; Federalist justification of standing army; Anti-Federalist concerns; Fed. 25, 26, 28, 41, 46.

• From Liberty To Suppressed Dissent: Founders on Empowered Armed Forces While Preventing a Stalin-type Military Regime in America by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #69 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to Stalin & the Military Regime – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent the previous regime’s failures.

• United States Constitutional System and Armed Forces: Decentralized Power and Due Process vs. Stalin’s Centralized Control by Military by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #70 — HISTORIC TOPIC #24: The Progressive Vision & Its Challenge to the Constitutional Order (“Negative” Constitution to Protect Liberty Inherent in Individuals From Government, to “Active” Government to Reshape Society Into an “Organic” State in Which Individuals Are Mere Cogs) – The progressive movement, what vulnerability in the U.S. populace led to it, why it succeeded, how it has “failed” or been limited.

• Power Concentrated in the Hands of a Few: Conflict of Progressive Government Toward American Individualism and the United States Constitution by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #71 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Progressive Vision & its Challenge to the Constitutional Order; Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures – or in this case, had a loophole that allowed it; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience.

• The United States Constitution and Institutional Framework for Executive Firmness by Will Morrisey, Professor Emeritus of Politics, Hillsdale College; Editor and Publisher, Will Morrisey Reviews.

Essay #72 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Progressive Vision & its Challenge to the Constitutional Order – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how it has prevented full progressive movement or could if people understood the Constitution better.

• Barriers to Dismantling Constitutionalism: America’s Founders and Their Safeguards Designed in the United States Constitution Against Progressivism by Gary Porter, Executive Director, Constitution Leadership Initiative.

Essay #73 — HISTORIC TOPIC #25: The Economic Depression & the Birth of New Deals & Great Societies (Dangers of an Administrative State Governed by Unelected Bureaucrats; Separation of Powers; Judicial Review; Due Process; Status of Rights in Property).

• Economic Depression, New Deal, and the Great Society: America’s Founders on Separation of Powers to Restrain Unelected Administrative Tyranny by Tony Williams, Author of six books including Washington and Hamilton: The Alliance that Forged America; Senior Teaching Fellow, Bill of Rights Institute; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #74 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Economic Depression & the Birth of New Deals & Great Societies – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience.

• The Constitutional Wisdom Ignored by the New Deal and Great Society by Patrick Garry, Professor of Law, University of South Dakota; Author, Limited Government and the Bill of Rights.

Essay #75 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Economic Depression & the Birth of New Deals & Great Societies.

• New Deal and the Great Society: Warnings From America’s Founders on Constitutional Misconstruction by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #76 — HISTORIC TOPIC #26: Hitler & the Third Reich – How Hitler used an economic crisis to fool the German people and lead them into tyranny and evil.

• Hitler’s Evil Path to Tyranny by Winfield H. Rose, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Political Science Emeritus, Murray State University.

Essay #77 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the evil and tyranny of Hitler & the Third Reich.

• U.S. Constitution vs. the Evil of Nazi-style Regimes: Design of America’s Founding Political System for Maintaining Independence and Self-governance by Winfield H. Rose, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Political Science Emeritus, Murray State University.

Essay #78 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the evil and tyranny of Hitler and the Third Reich.

• The United States Constitution as a Bulwark Against Tyranny by Jeanne McKinney, Military Writer at Patriot Profiles; Award-winning Military Journalist; Winner of multiple San Diego Club “Excellence in Journalism Awards” and eight first place honors; Published, among many, in Working Dog Magazine, Homeland Security Today.

Essay #79 — HISTORIC TOPIC #27: Chairman Mao & the Cultural Revolution (Freedom of Speech & Religion; Right to Direct the Upbringing of Children) – What led to Mao’s take over & the rise of the Cultural Revolution.

• Enemies of Freedom: Mao Zedong and the 1966 Cultural Revolution in China by Christopher C. Burkett, Associate Professor of History and Political Science; Director, Ashbrook Scholar Program, Ashland University.

Essay #80 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of Chairman Mao & the Cultural Revolution –Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience.

• Barriers Against Encroachments on Individual Natural Rights of Life, Liberty and Property: America’s Founders and a Well-constructed Constitution by Christopher C. Burkett, Associate Professor of History and Political Science; Director, Ashbrook Scholar Program, Ashland University.

Essay #81 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of Chairman Mao & the Cultural Revolution – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent the previous regime’s failures.

• The United States Constitution vs the Regime of Mao Zedong: Opposite Systems of Government by David B. Kopel, Research Director, Independence Institute; Adjunct Scholar, Cato Institute; Adjunct Professor of Constitutional Law, Denver University, Sturm College of Law.

Essay #82 — HISTORIC TOPIC #28: The Creation of the United Nations & the “Citizen of the World” (Treaties; Nations; Borders; Citizenship) – Reasons why people thought it was a good idea & how the failures of international regimes in the past led to it.

• International Regimes, Events Leading To Creation of the United Nations, and Involvement of the United States by Christopher C. Burkett, Associate Professor of History and Political Science; Director, Ashbrook Scholar Program, Ashland University.

Essay #83 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Creation of the United Nations & the “Citizen of the World” – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience; Federalist #6 on foreign policy & motives of other nations.

• United States Independence and Sovereignty: Cautions From America’s Founders Against Relinquishing Policy Decisions to International Organizations by Christopher C. Burkett, Associate Professor of History and Political Science; Director, Ashbrook Scholar Program, Ashland University.

Essay #84 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Creation of the United Nations & the “Citizen of the World” – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent such global interplay.

• Guarding American Sovereignty: The United States Constitution and Its Protections Against World Government Control by Andrew Langer, President, Institute for Liberty; Chairman and Founder, Institute for Regulatory Analysis and Engagement.

Essay #85 — HISTORIC TOPIC #29: The Collapse of the British Empire – America’s Manifest Destiny but also our curbing of international domination & overreach & how the founders wisdom led to such curbing.

• Empire for Liberty: The American Founders on Curbing International Domination and Overreach by Thomas Bruscino, Associate Professor of History in the Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, United States Army War College; Author, A Nation Forged in War: How World War II Taught Americans to Get Along.

Essay #86 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Collapse of the British Empire – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience; Brutus & other Anti-Federalists on problems of representation in “large republics” (i.e., empires).

• Prescience on Decline of the British Empire in Brutus No. VIII: Warnings That Influenced Formation of the United States Constitution by Jay McConville, Military Veteran; Aerospace and Defense Industry Executive; Founder, Emerald Collaborative Partners; Doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Essay #87 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failures of the Collapse of the British Empire – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent large republics & international interplay & allowance of international involvement & its dangers.

• Trade and American Independence: Establishing a United States Constitution for Lasting Political and Economic Freedom by James C. Clinger, Professor of Political Science, Murray State University; Member, Murray-Calloway County Transit Authority Board; Past President, Kentucky Political Science Association.

Essay #88 — HISTORIC TOPIC #30: The Failings of Utopian Creation Experiments (Framers As Constructing Workable Government, Not an Ideological Blueprint; Madison’s “Best Possible” Government; Franklin’s Pragmatism; Connecticut Compromise; Compromise Over Slavery Issue) – The dangers of utopian thinking in our American Republic. How our founders were aware & educated about historic failings. How we should have such awareness & education as a populace to prevent such historic failures in our republic – as history has endured before & after our founding. How our founders’ prescience & founding documents still hold true, that this is why we are exceptional. “A republic if we can keep it.”

• America’s Founding Knowledge of Failed Utopian Ideologies: Establishing a U.S. Constitution Based on Tradition and Natural Rights to Prevent Tyranny by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.

Essay #89 — FEDERALIST & ANTI-FEDERALIST’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom of Federalist/Anti-Federalist to the Failures of the Failings of Utopian Creation Experiments – Their thinking/debates about how to prevent the previous regime’s weaknesses/failures; This is not a counteracting debate between Federalists & Anti-Federalist but a commentary on their corresponding prescience; Fed. 14, 31, 37, 85.

• Failures of Utopian Creation Experiments: America’s Founders and Their Warnings Against Attempts to Reinvent Human Nature by Christopher C. Burkett, Associate Professor of History and Political Science; Director, Ashbrook Scholar Program, Ashland University.

Essay #90 — THE CONSTITUTION’S WISDOM: Successful Counteracting Wisdom in the U.S. Constitution to the Failings of Utopian Creation Experiments – Specifics in Constitution dealing with how to prevent Utopian Creation Experiments.

• Keeping the Republic: America’s Founders on the United States Constitution and Upholding Tradition, Continuity, Virtue and Good Government by Joerg W. Knipprath, Professor of Law, Southwestern Law School; Constituting America Fellow.