Soft Despotism, Democracy's Drift by Paul Rahe is an important new book for students of history and anyone interested in the direction of modern democratic societies. Here's the part 4 of my summary and review of the book...

In the third main section of Soft Despotism, Paul Rahe examines the works and ideas of Alexis de Tocqueville, a Frenchman who visited America in the 1830's. He published his reflections on American democracy in France, hoping to influence the development of his native land's government. Tocqueville realized that monarchy and the nobility were forever lost and only democracy or tyranny remained as viable forms of national government...

Soft Despotism, Democracy's Drift by Paul Rahe is an important new book for students of history and anyone interested in the direction of modern democratic societies. Here's the part 3 of my summary and review of the book...

In the second main section of Soft Despotism, Paul Rahe examines the works and ideas of Rousseau. Rousseau followed Montesquieu by a generation, publishing his main works in the 1760's. His works had great impact on the radical leaders of the later revolution in France. Rousseau's ideas were revolutionary, yet tempered with a realism that suggested....

Soft Despotism, Democracy's Drift by Paul Rahe is an important new book for students of history and anyone interested in the direction of modern democratic societies. Here's the part 2 (of many) of my summary and review of the book...

Regarding the tendencies of commercial republics - commerce looks ahead, valuing customers and markets for future transactions over physical possessions on hand.  Commerce is more about 'getting ahead' than about enjoying what you have already earned.  Potential vast wealth is more valuable than present sufficient wealth....

Soft Despotism, Democracy's Drift by Paul Rahe is an important new book for students of history and anyone interested in the direction of modern democratic societies. It would make a fine political theory text for any homeschooler or autodidact. Certainly reading the book along with the original works it surveys would be far more beneficial than any political science class taught by modern politically-correct faculty. Here's Part 1 of a multi-part review...

I was recently asked to recommend good courses or books to study world history from a Christian and biblical perspective. What I've read/studied and can recommend without reservation are...

ISI's annual National Founding Fathers Essay Contest for high school students. Students are invited to compete for scholarships prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000 and for a library of ISI titles. Essayists will consider the life and character of the Quaker general, Nathanael Greene. A free copy of Rise and Fight Again:... The Life of Nathanael Greene will be sent to every entrant along with a free subscription to ISI’s journal of scholarship and opinion, The Intercollegiate Review. Contest Details

Teenager. The word can bring fear to any parent of younger children as they imagine their kids entering so-called "adolescence". Expectations seem universally low for modern teenagers. What can you as a parent and teacher reasonably expect from a 14 year old? Some see a modern culture in chaos and just hope to keep their kids off drugs and not pregnant. A look at past eras to get a sense of what is possible for a teenager...

Our 16 year old daughter is reading A History of the American People and writing a daily essay. Here's one essay on the book, regarding America's westward expansion in the 1800's:

During the 1880s, American expansion was at its highest boom. Immigrants came daily from across the sea, and more and more people picked up stakes and headed to the West, where the opportunities were unparalleled. Never before had such a huge horizon loomed, waiting to be explored by willing and courageous families. The land was priceless, yet the settlers could acquire large homesteads for such a small amount- it was too good to be true...

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Our 16 year old daughter is reading Roots of American Order and writing a daily essay. Here's her fifth essay on the book, regarding English government forms evident in America's founding:

The United States in its infancy was called New England. But it was New England in more than people, although nearly all her first inhabitants were former English citizens. The young country differed from England in many ways, but in many ways she also held fast to her mother country. English government was the nearest....