Does Democracy Make us Free? with Jeb Smith

What if everything you thought about democracy was wrong? In our latest episode, Jeb Smith challenges the conventional wisdom on governance, exploring the surprising benefits of medieval kingship over modern democracy. Are we truly freer today, or have we misunderstood the past? Join us as Jeb unpacks these provocative ideas and shares insights from his book, "Missing: What Americans Get Wrong about Monarchy, Democracy, Feudalism, and Liberty." In our conversation, we explore: The Misconceptions of Democracy: Jeb argues that democracy may not be the beacon of freedom we believe it to be. Discover why he believes medieval societies offered more liberty than our current systems. The Role of Kingship: Far from being tyrannical, medieval kingship was decentralized and voluntary, offering a unique form of governance that respected individual choice. The Power of No King but Christ: How the teachings of Christ can guide us away from political entanglements and towards a more authentic Christian life. This episode is a must-listen for anyone questioning the status quo and seeking a deeper understanding of governance and faith. Tune in to challenge your perspectives and engage in a conversation that goes beyond the surface.   Connect with Jeb: Amazon Author Page Fanmail and Hate male via email: [email protected]   For Full Show Notes: https://www.thebadroman.com/show-notes/episode-123   3 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT: TASTE IT BAD ROMAN SALSA, ADD TO THE BAG thebadroman.com/donate, and share with a friend it (it's free!).   Timestamps and Starting Points: (1:08) Jeb's Background (5:18) Influence of Tolkien and Historical Insights (8:12) Identity and Labels (9:25) Christianity and Politics (11:01) The Dangers of Political Allegiance (14:24) Western Christianity's Challenges (15:46) Breaking Free from Political Labels (19:06) The Power of Discourse (22:01) Voluntarism and Anarchism (25:11) Medieval Governance and Libertarianism (30:36) The Role of Kings in Medieval Society (35:13) Decentralization and Self-Government (39:45) Abortion and Government Involvement (43:24) Rebellion Against Tyranny (45:51) Education and Indoctrination (54:18) Democracy and Totalitarianism (59:09) Libertarianism and Political Realities   For more on The Bad Roman Project: Blog submissions: thebadroman.com/contribute-to-the-blog Connect with us on social: thebadroman.com/social-links Want to get more involved? Request to join the private discussion group on Facebook (Bad Romans Only!!) No King but Christ Network: nokingbutchristnetwork.com