Medieval Kingship, Liberty & the Myth of Democracy — Jeb Smith

Vermont-based historian Jeb Smith joins The Catholic Morning Show to discuss his provocative new book Missing Monarchy: Correcting Misconceptions About the Middle Ages, Medieval Kingship, Democracy and Liberty, published by Sensus Fidelium Press. Jeb argues that the medieval period — which he re-defines as roughly 600–1300 A.D., the era of Anglo-Saxon England and feudal Europe — was characterized by a deeply Catholic, natural law framework in which kings were servants and protectors of God-given law, not makers of it. This structure, he contends, kept government small, decentralized, and genuinely free in ways that modern democracy does not. In democracy, he argues, centralized power inevitably expands — eventually collapsing into oligarchy — because it operates on the humanistic premise that man, not God, is the ultimate lawgiver. By contrast, medieval self-governance was achieved not through voting, but through radical decentralization: neighboring communities could hold entirely different laws and customs, allowing people to live among like-minded neighbors without political coercion. Jeb references Thomas Aquinas's concept of united holds as an early articulation of this principle — one he sees the American founders partially implementing, though imperfectly. His prescription for today: strip power from the federal government and state governments alike and return it to the county level, restoring authentic local self-governance. He points to his article published in the Abbeville Institute as further reading on this argument. 🔗 Missing Monarchy — Sensus Fidelium Press:  🔗 Also available on Amazon.com 🔗 Author Jeb Smith — Books, Articles & More Listen to The Catholic Morning Show weekdays at 7 AM Central on the Catholic Radio Network at: 🔗 https://www.IowaCatholicRadio.com #MissingMonarchy #JebSmith #MiddleAges #MedievalKingship #CatholicHistory #Democracy #Liberty #NaturalLaw #Decentralization #ThomasAquinas #CatholicPolitics #MedievalHistory #SensusFideliumPress #AbbevilleInstitute #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #CatholicIntellectual Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm. ENJOYING THE SHOW? Follow The Catholic Morning Show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode — and if this one was worth your time, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating. It takes ten seconds and it's the single best way to help more people find the show. 🎧 LISTEN LIVE Catch The Catholic Morning Show live, weekday mornings on Iowa Catholic Radio. Listen Live · Program Schedule · Our Stations LINKSYou can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok! More on our website.If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! More from Iowa Catholic Radio:Sunday Dive with Katie PatrizioMan Up! with Joe StopulosCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrBe Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid en Español con el P. Fabián MoncadaMaking it Personal with Bishop William JoensenFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleThe Great Men of the Bible with Joe Stopulos Liturgy & DevotionsThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Daily Mass from St. Francis of AssisiThe Daily Mass from St. Pius XThe Daily Mass from St. TheresaSunday Mass from the Basilica of Saint JohnWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Iowa Catholic Radio - Connecting People to Christ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.