Republican or (in modern parlance "democratic") government is held in conflicting regard today. On the one hand, people throughout the world, and especially in the West, regard some form of representative government by consent as the only legitimate, respectable form of government--or at least something to which all countries should aspire when they reach the appropriate level of social, political and economic development. On the other hand, these very same citizens--and especially the more intellectually inclined—have low opinions of their own government, its history, and especially its leaders. They are often inclined to believe the worst about the behavior of politicians, the people, and their nation as a whole. How warranted is this cynicism about republican government? Is it something new? Or does it have roots in the Western political and philosophic tradition? How does America fare by comparison to the theory of republicanism and practice of republics throughout history? To what extent is cynicism about American institutions and actions warranted? Michael Anton is a former speechwriter to President George W. Bush, New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Author:  Michael Anton

Duration: 01:37:06

Published: 2007-03-01

Tag: michael anton   anton   republicanism   republican government   democracy   democratic government   representative government   cynicism   republic