Welcome to the 18th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we discuss the fifth and final letter in the series of anti-federalist letters known as the "Letters from the Federal Farmer to The Republican". In this episode, the author wraps up his discussion of the draft Constitution and turns to how he sees the ratification process should be conducted. In particular, he wants a full and fair discussion of the draft in the state legislatures and a good faith attempt by all to amend the draft to a satisfactory form. He does not want the bad actors on both side of the debate to interfere. In sum, the author wants the citizens to have their opportunity to review the draft, voice their concerns and to have their will made law.

You can find a copy of this letter at the following location:  

https://hdl.handle.net/2027/pst.000012202621?urlappend=%3Bseq=876%3Bownerid=13510798902521002-880 

If you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Welcome to the 16th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we discuss the third letter in the series of anti-federalist letters known as the "Letters from the Federal Farmer to The Republican". In this episode, the author analyzes the structure of the federal government under the draft Constitution, gives his opinions on the issues inherent in that structure, and considers the powers he sees as improperly granted to it. You can find a copy of this letter at the following link:  

https://hdl.handle.net/2027/pst.000012202621?urlappend=%3Bseq=854%3Bownerid=13510798902519868-862

If you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Welcome to the 15th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we discuss the second installment in the series of anti-federalist letters known as the "Letters from the Federal Farmer to The Republican". In this episode, the author sets forth what he sees as essential for a free and fair society, and the social compact required for that society to operate. 

You can find a copy of this letter at the following link:  https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/federal-farmer-ii/.  

If you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. 

Finally, we begin our discussion by following up on a few points made last week as they relate to some ideas of John Lewis Gaddis in his excellent book, "On Grand Strategy". 

Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Welcome to the 13th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we will discuss Elbridge Gerry's Letter the the Massachusetts Legislature published in the Massachusetts Centinel on November 3, 1787. You can find a copy of this letter on page 2 of the following link: https://archive.csac.history.wisc.edu/DOM_04.2015_Gerrys_Objections.pdf. Also, if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn.

In this episode we explore the letter, Elbridge's objections to the draft constitution and a message of moderation and duty as an American.

Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Welcome back to the American Social Fabric Podcast. Episode 12 is the first "summary" episode of the podcast where we extract and summarize the main lessons and interesting ideas from the various texts we have covered thus far. The things we discuss this week include the miracle of the Constitution and the growth of power. I hope you enjoy!

Welcome to the 10th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we will discuss the first of the Federalist Paper articles published in the Independent Journal of New York on October 27, 1787. You can find a copy of this article here: https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-1-10#s-lg-box-wrapper-25493264. Also, if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. 

In this episode we explore the article and three of the "warnings" from Alexander Hamilton that are in the text and which are applicable to our modern context, and those are: 1) the danger of ego and hubris in political debate, 2) the dangers of political parties, and 3) the dangers of political pundits seeking power through appeals to liberty. After our discussion of the article, we move into the "Good" where we discuss goal setting and achieving your goals. 

Thank you for checking out the podcast and I hope you find some value in it!

Welcome to Episode 9 of the American Social Fabric Podcast! This podcast explores the Founding Fathers, core American principles, and the ideas and debates that forged our great country.

This week we explore the question - does a free republic have to be small to function? I certainly don't think so in our modern age, but the unknown author of the Cato III article posted in the New York Journal on October 24, 1787 raises some interesting questions regarding what makes a state legitimate to its people, how do you prevent private citizens from gaining too much power, and can people care for others outside of their immediate community?  A copy of the Cato III article can be found at: https://archive.csac.history.wisc.edu/26_Cato_III.pdf and if you want to follow along in the book I am using as a primary source, it is called "The Essential Debate on the Constitution" and is edited by Robert J. Allison and Bernard Bailyn. Finally, if you are interested in the passage I read for "the Good" segment of this week's Episode, it is from Ryan Holiday's "The Daily Stoic", the July 4th entry.

Remember to keep your flame shining bright and thank you for checking out the podcast.