The American Minervan

Tag: political corruption

  • Benjamin Rush and Early Federalist Republicanism: Fear of Democracy, Moral Degradation, and Corruption

    Benjamin Rush and Early Federalist Republicanism: Fear of Democracy, Moral Degradation, and Corruption

    Fear of Mob Democracy and the Roman republic’s fate of corruption The stories of Marius, Tacitus, Livy and Sallust stress importance of morals, reason and the rule of law in a virtuous republic; also corruption of these through avarice, luxury, parties, factions and venality. According to the Roman statesman, Sallust, a republic should be free…

  • Confucian Philosopher Mencius on Dealing with Tyrannical Rulers

    Confucian Philosopher Mencius on Dealing with Tyrannical Rulers

    Mengzi 孟子 (372–289 BCE) on corruption and brutal rulers taught, that we must be moved by a moral disposition to do good, understand, and relieve humanity and other life each day a little more of its suffering. Mencius taught, that benevolence is the essence of the human being, and with the cultivation of virtue, comes our…