Freedom in American Society
Course Description
This course will examine the significance of freedom in American society. Topics to be explored include: the historical roots of American liberty, with particular attention to the relation between liberty and religion; the nature of freedom as understood by the chief architects of the American political order; the relation between political and economic freedom; the nature of government and of the market process; the meaning of the rule of law; the changing conceptions of freedom throughout American political development; the chief threats to individual freedom that have emerged over the past several centuries; and contemporary challenges to the preservation of freedom.
Required Texts and other learning materials:
- Bruce Frohnen, The American Republic – Primary Sources. Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2002. (ISBN 0-86597-333-4)
- Linda C. Raeder, Freedom, Law, Rights: Traditional American Thought and Practice. 2017. ISBN: 978-1545243497(FLR)
- The Rise and Fall of Freedom ISBN: 978-1545197103.(RFF)
- Short Paper. One short essay (4 pages long). The paper is expected to conform to established academic conventions for writing term papers as set forth in, for example, Kate Turabian, A Manual of Style. The grade will be based not only upon substance but also upon format and style.
PAPER
In Federalist number 10, Madison writes: It is desirable “to refine and enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to the temporary or partial considerations.” The Framers, therefore, did not understand democracy as majority rule. Rather, they recognized the need to seek the “deliberate will of the people”. Explain why the American system of government cannot be described as a majoritarian democracy by exploring constitutional provisions that reflect the nature of the American political system.
