Rousseau’s Social Contract Theory And The Perils Between Law and Freedom In my last part on social contract theory, I will discuss aspects of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s (1712-1778) musings on modern man’s quest to balance the want of freedom with the need of community. Rousseau’s social contract design begins with the theme of alienation. He was …
Tag: Democracy
When Democracies Turn to Nihilism
Recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 12, 2017 mark the crucible of American democracy. This is not only an inflection point, but one with repercussions that will reverberate across the country. America’s history of fascist dabblings, whether it be the World War II era internment of Japanese-Americans or 1960’s police brutality against African-American civil …
Have Americans Vetoed the Vote?
Last night Americans voted their conscience. This was not an election about ideology, values, and policy. It was an election where the populist majoritarians of this country, i.e. apolitical Middle America and the white working class, were overcome with a feeling. A feeling of exuberance that a boorish billionaire will give them their country back, …
Has Democracy Become Mob Rule?
What does it mean to be a citizen of a state? Perhaps this is a question that most people do not contemplate. In modern times, the concept of citizenship is interlinked with natural rights. Individuals are granted political rights by issuance of birth where the state acts as protector of liberty. Natural rights can be …
Part 2: Islam, Democracy and Pluralism: Modernity in an Age of Arab Power Politics
What is the potential for democracy in the Arab-Muslim World? This is the preeminent question that will dominate the Middle East for decades to come. The current civil wars raging in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen will shape new political borders of the Middle East. These countries mark the frontiers for the development of new …
Continue reading Part 2: Islam, Democracy and Pluralism: Modernity in an Age of Arab Power Politics
Report On The Nation 