Discussion on Ignorance of Republicanism in our Political Degeneration

THE TERM REPUBLICANISM IS NEVER USED BY OUR MODERN POLITICIANS. Rachel Hammersley demonstrates its importance in her work, also taking from ancient republicanism the words of several lawmakers, such as the Spartan — Lycurgus. No politician today embodies the American politics in this form — its arguably highest form. Amy Klobucher for example repeatedly used the term “Democracy” in her speech at the Inauguration. This “Democracy” spoken of is an illusion, and in fact a very neutered ideal and vision of the United States.

Some of you may be under the impression I am making a similar argument to certain Conservatives, when they say, we are a Republic, not a Democracy; and then the Democratic voter says, “We are actually both.” Although, Democrats never to me exhibit both. None of the parties do. The political parties in our country are said to be a reflection of the dualism in human nature, but this is not true. Why do we see everything in terms of two choices only beyond the structure of the political system itself? The dualism, or the either/or habit of thinking is a consequence of a particular semantic mathematical, neuro-linguistic orientation in Western logic and philosophy. Just like AI thinks for us, our brains function the same, which brings us to the value of philosophy. Language can control and limit us. Our speech and these limitations order our thinking. It structures what we call logic, which has a mathematical structure. Our particular culture’s concept of Logic and Time affects how we think and perceive the world. It affects how well we understand the past, its civilizations and peoples.

In fact, many Americans simply associate both words with the two main political parties and use it as political strategy. I have many books on my shelf for example about Republicanism. When a visitor comes in, they are likely to think they are books about the Republican Party. Hardly, anyone I have known knows what REPUBLICANISM is. Why is that?

The word tied to the political party has been demonized and seen as an abhorred word related to Power, Authority, Christian “Objective ‘Traditional Morality’,” Law and even Corruption, whereas the term Democracy in people’s minds is psychologically associated with Liberty for example. I say this, which has a traceable history, which I explored in Where Authority Lies: Republicanism, Liberalism, and Progressive Morality, and I get stared at like I’m a ghost. Americans do not seem quite self aware. This is a distortion neither political side educate citizens about, because it is not advantageous to the culture wars or politically divisive climate.

So, as with all things, there is a history of these terms, which is why I talk about the origins of Democracy in Athens and Republicanism in Sparta. All these which come together to give life to a uniquely mixed system in our country is not being fully expressed. Can you atleast give me that?

I explored this problem in several articles, such as in Where Authority Lies: Republicanism, Liberalism, and Progressive Morality. There are many to explore, such as Gordon S. Wood on Republicanism and Monarchy in the Eighteenth-Century and The Philosophical Wisdom of the Pre-Christian World Survives and Lives On. My frustrations were highlighted much earlier in Late to the party… | A Look at Hayward’s Review: The Liberal Republicanism of Gordon Wood.

Many signs have shown me, that the idea of this nation is distorted in the minds of our politicians and through media, especially through viewing all of history through a U.S. right-left lens. It is understood incompletely and is progressively contributing to our political degeneration. Republicanism and its principles are beyond party and sect and shines its ray on all. It is the overarching philosophy at the very foundation. We learn much more aspects about this country and its values by understanding its legacy, which if embodied would manifest a political vision that could prove superior, and more elevated than the platforms of Trumpism, the Republican Party and Democratic Party.

I want to bring the sap of the tree out of hiding, not the little arms or leaves of the tree, because it is evident we have strayed far from the root.

The politics, philosophy and presentation of many of our politicians who happen to have law school degrees still presents itself too narrowly, too scripted, and too superficial. In many, the ethics and philosophy of the ancient Stoics for example are understood through Christianity and effectively diluted. Republicanism presents itself as a spiritual revolution, a cause for spiritual regeneration of humanity — it has a great heritage and lineage to pull from, even in our modern day. The old liberal was not a liberal who did not admire the ancients and their wisdom. Yet, today, they are never evoked on the great stage to educate and enlighten the American people.

Why is that?

With such learning, do you think the American people would be so easily as now beguiled by any aspiring despot, oligarch or “business-politician” like Trump who claims to also speak for the “common man?” Everything has degenerated. We need new types of models, politically. “Christian Nationalism” cannot supply this.

“Christian Nationalists” and those that share such views happen to be either apolitical or politically involved in this country. They have proven though, that we are a country that is comfortable with being infants of imperial power, and not a strong philosophically minded people ready to mature. The Americans merely dance with the whims of the times and our evolving technologies and AI (becoming like our parents and our very own minds to think for us), while socially we divide and blame all the wrong causes for this condition. This country needs love of philosophy far more than theocratic ambitions.