The greatest public declaration of a governing philosophy which inspired an epic struggle which in turn changed the world
It was followed 12 years later by the greatest governing document ever written.
Aristotle said it first: There are 3 kinds of ethical government and their degenerated forms: Monarchy (rule by one) degenerates into tyranny; Aristocracy (rule by a few) into oligarchy/kleptocracy; Polity (republic - rule by many) becomes democracy = violence/bloodshed and mob rule (think Robespierre).
The founders knew this and knew that no republic lasted very long. But, through intellect knowledge and compromise they devised a way to keep what happened to the French Revolution - the ideological overreach and fervor, the terror, the guillotine, the military takeover, the fall into imperial ambition - from happening here with checks and balances and a federal system. It's still working;
Happy birthday. Gene
Last edited by Argo44; 07/04/26 12:47 PM.
