Tag: Civic Republicanism
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The Contributions of Black American Classicists against Racism
Beyond the well-known figures like Phillis Wheatley and Frederick Douglass mentioned in the Introduction to Five Early Figures, a generation of Black American classicists emerged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, often born into slavery or its immediate aftermath. These scholars mastered Greek and Latin to refute racial inferiority claims and assert our…
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Classical Republicanism and Stoicism refutes Racial Hierarchies
Classical Republicanism, as articulated in ancient Greek and Roman political philosophy emphasizes the pursuit of the common good for the CIVITAS through civic virtue, balanced governance, and participation in public life, without grounding these ideals in biological or racial hierarchies as understood in modern terms. Far from being inherently racist, its foundational texts reveal a…
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How Lenin and Bolshevism displaced Civic Republicanism with Socialism in Black Radicalism
After 1917, the global meaning of “REVOLUTION” was successfully seized by Lenin, the Bolsheviks, and their descendants. CIVIC REPUBLICANISM did not disappear because it was defeated in open ideological combat. It was crowded out by a louder, better-funded, more institutionally disciplined international movement that claimed the entire moral and linguistic territory of “revolution,” “liberation,” and…
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Civic Republicanism in the Haitian Revolution: Toussaint Louverture and His Influence on John Brown
There is nothing I write about unconnected or unrelated to my life and studies in my personal life. Within the digital space of my work, I am working on, e.g., a comparative analysis between John Brown, Giuseppi Mazzini, Henry Steel Olcott and Helena P. Blavatsky on the approach, strategy and issues (even flaws) of adherence…
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Our Pre-Stoic Roots in Human Rights Theory in the United States
On the sacred philosophical tradition underlying the foundations of Western Civilization influencing republican theory of human rights in the United States from Heraclitus of the Ioanian tradition, even preceding him. Tracing this history demonstrates how the concept of a divine (primordial) element becomes gradually secularized through the Renaissance Humanists, Enlightenment and Neo-Classical Republican traditions. ORIGINS…
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Third Republic Civic Republicanism, Esoteric Movements and Protestantism in France Belle Epoque Era
INTRODUCTION Historical figures involved in French Third Republic (1870–1940) politics were generally opposed to the monarchy, aligning with the prevailing republican and anti-clerical sentiments of the era, though there are nuances in this time within esoteric currents. The Theosophical Society in France, officially established as a section in 1899, attracted and propelled several notable figures who were…
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Heraclitus of Ephesus: Philosopher of the Ever-Living Fire in the Ionian Tradition
Imagine stepping into a river, only to find that both you and the water have transformed in the blink of an eye. “No man ever steps in the same river twice,” declared Heraclitus. This simple yet profound observation captures the fundamentals of his philosophy; and one that revolutionized how we understand change, unity, and the…
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The Lost Meaning of Republicanism in Modern America
Americans often appear indifferent to “Republicanism” (meaning the classical republican tradition) because the word has been almost completely hijacked in everyday language by the Republican Party. When most people hear “republicanism” today, they think of the Grand Old Party, Trump, culture-war talking points, or at best vague slogans about “limited government.” The deeper philosophical tradition…
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Noah Webster’s Influence on Early American Identity, Journalism and Education
Noah Webster, Adams and other early Americans emphasis on divergence from Britain demonstrates how Federalists sought to create early American identity through changes to institutions, language, and colonial education to legitimize the new republic. Mayflower descendant Noah Webster (1758-1843) is considered the father of American education and the American dictionary. Webster is accompanied by many…
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The Real Republican Mind: Upholder of Liberty and Virtue
AREPUBLICAN-mind abhors the chains of slavery — mentally, spiritually and physically. The republican believes that “the health (or welfare) of the People should be the Supreme Law” (Salus populi suprema lex esto). The republican rejects anti-secularism, monarchy, theocracy, clericalism, oligarchy, despotism and authoritarianism. The republican comes from a heritage and legacy of revolution and radical…
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Henry A. Wallace Spiritual Ideals and Fascination with the United States Motto
Henry A. Wallace (1888-1965) was a progressive Republican and Episcopalian, a high ranking official during the war, New Deal Secretary of Agriculture and Vice President of the U.S. 1941-45. He is considered a notable contributor to American liberalism and political culture. This brief will not cover his life or political work but highlight his particular…
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Where Authority Lies: Republicanism, Liberalism, and Progressive Morality
WHERE AUTHORITY LIES “. . .And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness (zohar) of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Dan. xii, 3) What is called the “new morality” (a term dating to the 1920s) today guided by progressive social movements seems not too…
The American Minervan 