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Title: The American Republic (Orestes A. Brownson: Works in Political Philosophy) by Orestes Brownson ISBN: 1-882926-92-7 Publisher: ISI Books Pub. Date: 01 May, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (2 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The American Republic and Its Constitution.
Comment: Written by former Transcendentalist turned Roman Catholic conservative, Orestes Brownson, _The American Republic_ is an inquiry into the nature of government, the formation of the Constitution, and the relationship between federal and states' rights in America right after the Civil War period. Orestes Brownson notes that he writes his book for all Americans but in particular for those who are Roman Catholic so as to understand their nation and its Constitution. As a Roman Catholic, Orestes Brownson bases much of his argument upon the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Saint Augustine, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Suarez, Pierre Leroux, and Abbate Gioberti, the majority of whom were also Catholic Christians. The first section of this book deals with the origins and nature of government. Orestes Brownson notes that a proper understanding of government is possible only by recognizing that man is a creature endowed with certain characteristics, but dependent upon his Creator. Next, he considers eight different theories which are offered as explanations of the origin of government and the principle of sovereignity. These theories are listed as:
"I. Government originates in the right of the father to govern his child.
II. It originates in convention, and is a social compact.
III. It originates in the people, who, collectively taken, are sovereign.
IV. Government springs from the spontaneous development of nature.
V. It derives its right from the immediate and express appointment of God; -
VI. From God through the Pope, or visible head of the spiritual society; -
VII. From God through the people; -
VIII. From God through the natural law."
Orestes Brownson considers each of these theories in turn and shows how they are each problematic. In a subsequent section, Brownson considers the Constitution of government. Here he references the work of Traditionalist French Catholic, Count Joseph de Maistre, who wrote on the generation of constitutions and was a reactionary opponent of the French Revolution. Brownson argues against those revolutionaries who believe that constitution is determined by a social contract which is agreed upon as savages become civilized (such as the theory advocated by Jean-Jacques Rousseau). Brownson considers the sovereignity of kings and the Roman emperors and shows how they differ from the Constitution in America. Next Brownson turns his attention to the United States and its Constitution. In particular, Brownson examines the issue of Confederacy versus Union that was played out in the debate between federalist and anti-federalist and saw its realization in _The Constitution_ which superseded _The Articles of Confederation_. Indeed, it is the issue of states' rights which was to play such a large part in the subsequent Civil War between the Southern and Northern States. Brownson considers the issue of secession and shows how those in the Southern states believed themselves to belong to a Confederacy and thus believed that their states had the right to secede. Alternatively, those in the Northern states including then President Abraham Lincoln argued that the union must be preserved at all costs. Brownson shows how this preservation of the union occurred even at the risk of defying certain parts of the Constitution, at the same time as it was argued that it must be preserved. Brownson shows that since the member of the Confederacy of Southern States believed himself to belong to a confederacy and thus believed that his state had a right to secede from a confederacy to which it belonged he was not a traitor or a revolutionary since he acted within his beliefs. Brownson considers the reconstruction of the South and shows how the Civil War involved a conflict between different notions of democracy. The South represented an individualist (Jeffersonian) notion of democracy, as opposed to a territorial democracy or the socialistic democracy of those who wanted to preserve the union. The war was not fought over the issue of slavery contrary to what may have been believed in Europe at the time by those who advocated against slavery. Finally, Brownson turns his attention to the political destiny of the country. As a Roman Catholic, Brownson argues that religion must play an important role in the reshaping of the nation. After the Civil War, the entire nation emerged as a united people, and it is necessary for the Northern States to offer peace with those who they fought against in the South. Brownson remarks that the Catholic church is not to be united with the state, nor is the church to be subsumed under the state, but rather both must be allowed to freely exist. These remarks by Brownson are important for understanding his position and the position of the church regarding earthly sovereigns. This essay is an important contribution to political thought from a Roman Catholic perspective regarding the nation in America which had just undergone the turbulent struggle of the Civil War. In addition, this essay is important because it focuses upon an issue which was to continue to play such a large role in national politics, that of the rights of states. Much of the modern political debate can be understood in terms of this single issue.
Rating: 5
Summary: A great American poltical thinker!
Comment: This book is the only one that can really convince you that Brownson ranks just below Tocqueville as a commentator on America. Lawler's introduction--A GREAT BOOK ON AMERICA IN ITSELF--is what will convince you.
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Title: The American Cause by Russell Kirk ISBN: 1882926935 Publisher: ISI Books Pub. Date: 01 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Aliens in America: The Strange Truth About Our Souls by Peter Augustine Lawler ISBN: 1882926714 Publisher: ISI Books Pub. Date: 01 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Separation of Church and State by Philip Hamburger ISBN: 0674013743 Publisher: Harvard University Press Pub. Date: 01 April, 2004 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Rights and Duties: Reflections on Our Conservative Constitution by Russell Kirk, Mitchell S. Muncy, Russell Hittinger ISBN: 0965320820 Publisher: Spence Publishing Company Pub. Date: 15 August, 1997 List Price(USD): $27.95 |
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Title: Coercing Virtue: The Worldwide Rule of Judges by Robert H. Bork ISBN: 0844741620 Publisher: American Enterprise Institute Press Pub. Date: 01 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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