The American Social Fabric

Latest Episodes:

Episode 24 - The Character of those at the Top Matters (Jim Mattis on Leadership) Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back to the twenty-fourth episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast. This week we take a break from the typical exploration of the ideas and writings of our Founding Fathers and examine the book of a more recent American figure, Jim Mattis, who was both a General in the Marines and the Secretary of Defense. We will cover Part 1 of Mattis' book "Call Sign Chaos" as apply some of the leadership principles contained in his book to current American lawmakers and political leaders.

Thank you for your interest in the podcast and have a great week!

Episode 23 - Memorial Day and D-Day Special Episode (Writings of Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Jim Mattis) Jun 01, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back to the twenty third episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast. This week we take a break from the typical exploration of the ideas and writings of our Founding Fathers and listen to the words of more recent American generals. In this episode, we listen to General Dwight Eisenhower's D-Day address to his men about to invade Europe and General Jim Mattis' letter to his Marines before they began their invasion of Iraq in 2003. The purpose of this Memorial Day and D-Day anniversary episode is to appreciate the sacrifices made by those Americans who fought and died for our ideals of freedom, liberty and self-determination. As noted in the episode, it is not meant to be a comment on the politics or policy decisions of the Bush Administration, but an appreciation of the risks those of the greatest generation and of my generation took to preserve American ideals.

Thank you for your interest in the podcast and have a great week!

Episode 22 - Brutus IV and Concerns with Corruption in American Leaders May 25, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back to the twenty second episode of the American Social Fabric Podcast. This week we return to the Brutus essays, explore Brutus IV and discuss the unknown author's concern over bad American leadership and politicians who will be corrupt and put their interests above those of the Nation. This week's episode underscores the point that good, honest leadership whose interests are aligned with those of the average American are essential for the protection of our liberties and freedoms.

You can find the essay at: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/brutus-iv/.

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.

Thank you for your interest in the podcast and have a great week!

Episode 21 - The Importance of Good American Leaders (A Countryman II) May 18, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to the 21st episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we will discuss the essay "A Countryman - II", by Roger Sherman, published in the New Haven Gazette of Connecticut on November 22, 1787. You can find a copy of this essay here:

https://csac.history.wisc.edu/wpcontent/uploads/sites/281/2017/07/ct_countryman_II.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 Sherman's argument that it is more important that those you delegate power to have the same appreciation for your liberties as you than the contents of any Constitution or Bill of Rights. Sherman believes that what really counts for the flourishing of liberty is quality leadership whose values are aligned with those of the average citizen.

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

Episode 20 - James Madison's Warnings About Political Parties (Federalist Papers No. 10) May 11, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to the 20th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we will discuss the 10th of the Federalist articles published in the Daily Advertiser of New York on November 22, 1787. You can find a copy of this article here: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/primary-sources/federalist-no-10. 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 James Madison's warnings about political parties and the dangers they pose to the functioning of our government. Madison then discusses how the democratic republic established by the Constitution provides certain buffers against the worst of political parties and peoples' natural inclination to them.

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

Episode 19 - America's Endless Debate (America's Role in the World) May 04, 2022

Show notes

Hello, and welcome back to Episode 19 of the American Social Fabric Podcast! In this week's episode we discuss an article in the May/June 2022 edition of the Foreign Affairs Journal written by Robert Kagan titled, "The Price of Hegemony". In this discussion, I focus on the author's call for Americans to continue their debate over what America's role should be in the world and to recognize and consider the implications of its power. My thesis is America cannot be safe without a general agreement on what its role in the world should be as that is an essential part of our social fabric. We then move to "The Good" where we talk about a recent episode of Rep. Dan Crenshaw's We the People Podcast where he and Douglas Murry discuss exactly the point of this podcast, to create agreement on our past (our social fabric) so that we can function better as a society and nation moving forward. You can find a copy of the article here (warning there may be a paywall): https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/ukraine/2022-04-06/russia-ukraine-war-price-hegemony You can find Rep. Dan Crenshaw's podcast here: https://youtu.be/B7qsbICklJg That you for checking out the podcast!

Episode 18 - Letters from the Federal Farmer (Part 5) Apr 27, 2022

Show notes

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!

Episode 17 - Letters from the Federal Farmer (Part 4) Apr 20, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to the 17th episode of the American Social Fabric! This week we discuss the fourth 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 implied and ambiguous powers granted to the federal government under the draft Constitution and the need for certain express fundamental rights. While today, many of the author's concerns are accounted for in the Bill of Rights (freedom of religion, freedom of the press, etc.) it is always interesting to see the perspective of persons before such things as the Bill of Rights were law. You can find a copy of this letter at the following location: https://hdl.handle.net/2027/pst.000012202621?urlappend=%3Bseq=869%3Bownerid=13510798902521002-873 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!

Episode 16 - Letters from the Federal Farmer (Part 3) Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

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

Episode 15 - Letters from the Federal Farmer (Part 2) Apr 06, 2022

Show notes

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!

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