DIA-Today: Democracy in America Today

We discuss the principles and historical context of the Declaration of Independence and its legacy across the last 250 years. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss upcoming plans for the 4th of July. The Historical Context of the Declaration (2:43) - We discuss the events leading up to the approval of the Declaration of Independence. Links: May 15, 1776 Virginia Convention Resolutions; Richard Henry Lee’s Resolutions. The Principles of the Declaration (15:55) - We review the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Link: The Declaration of Independence. The Legacy of the Declaration (45:29) - We discuss the way the Declaration has been understood and applied in the quarter millennium since it was approved. Links: Jefferson to Henry Lee; Lincoln to H.L. Pierce et al.; Wilson, “What is Progress?”; Carl Becker on the Declaration; Coolidge’s 1926 address; Martin Luther King, “I Have a Dream”; Ford’s bicentennial address. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (56:33) - We review our surprisingly successful World Cup picks and make our predictions for the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.  Email: [email protected] YouTube: @DIAToday Intagram: @DemocracyinAmericaToday Keeping Our Republic at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The history of the American Revolution: Walter McDougall, Freedom Just Around the Corner; Robert Middlekauff, The Glorious Cause. David Corbin is the Provost of Colorado Christian University. Matt Parks and David Corbin both taught politics at The King’s College in New York City and have written together on reviving American republicanism, The Federalist, and Democracy in America. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and not necessarily those of their present or former employers.

We discuss the principles of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and its teaching on the virtues and practices necessary to preserve free government. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the 58th anniversary of Matt’s parents and the 20th anniversary of Matt and his wife. Self-Government in Revolutionary Virginia (1:46) - We discuss the efforts of the patriots of Virginia to establish a temporary government and a lasting constitution for their new state. Link. May 15, 1776 Virginia Convention Resolutions The Virginia Declaration of Rights (15:09) - We review the principles of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and discuss contemporary applications. Link: Virginia Declaration of Rights. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (46:47) - We give our final thoughts on the NBA finals and project the results of five upcoming World Cup matches.  Email: [email protected] YouTube: @DIAToday Intagram: @DemocracyinAmericaToday Keeping Our Republic at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The history of the American Revolution: Walter McDougall, Freedom Just Around the Corner; Robert Middlekauff, The Glorious Cause. David Corbin is the Provost of Colorado Christian University. Matt Parks and David Corbin both taught politics at The King’s College in New York City and have written together on reviving American republicanism, The Federalist, and Democracy in America. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and not necessarily those of their present or former employers.

Reflecting on John Witherspoon’s sermon, “The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men,” we discuss God’s rule over the nations and the spiritual dangers that arise during times of great conflict. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss Dave’s new home and upcoming family wedding and Matt’s son’s impending high school graduation. Church and State in the Revolutionary Era (3:00) - We discuss the religious tests in the early state constitutions and the general move away from established churches in that era. We also discuss the influence of John Witherspoon on the American church and American government. Link. Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (trans. Mansfield). “The Dominion of Providence…” (13:19) - We discuss John Witherspoon’s occasional sermon, “The Dominion of Providence Over the Passions of Men” and its applications for our day. Link: John Witherspoon, “The Dominion of Providence…” Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (57:28) - We review the Spurs’ poor start in the NBA Finals and make our World Cup predictions. Email: [email protected] YouTube: @DIAToday Intagram: @DemocracyinAmericaToday Keeping Our Republic at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The history of the American Revolution: Walter McDougall, Freedom Just Around the Corner; Robert Middlekauff, The Glorious Cause. David Corbin is the Provost of Colorado Christian University. Matt Parks and David Corbin both taught politics at The King’s College in New York City and have written together on reviving American republicanism, The Federalist, and Democracy in America. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and not necessarily those of their present or former employers.

Guided by John Adams’ “Thoughts on Government,” we reflect on the importance of republican virtue in establishing and maintaining self-government. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the start of summer and the cluster of patriotic celebrations between Patriots Day and the Fourth of July. Early American constitution-making (2:53) -  We discuss the origins and early stages of American constitution-making during the Revolutionary War.  “Thoughts on Government” (10:05) - We discuss John Adams’s essay “Thoughts on Government” and his vision for a self-governing American republic. Link: John Adams, “Thoughts on Government.” Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (46:09) - We review our poor PGA Championship picks and take a second shot at projecting the NBA Finals.  Email: [email protected] YouTube: @DIAToday Intagram: @DemocracyinAmericaToday Keeping Our Republic at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The history of the American Revolution: Walter McDougall, Freedom Just Around the Corner; Robert Middlekauff, The Glorious Cause. David Corbin is the Provost of Colorado Christian University. Matt Parks and David Corbin both taught politics at The King’s College in New York City and have written together on reviving American republicanism, The Federalist, and Democracy in America. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and not necessarily those of their present or former employers.

We discuss the rhetoric and argument of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and apply his lessons and warnings to our polarized politics. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the end of the academic year. Common Sense (2:58) -  We discuss the context, rhetoric, and argument of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense. Link: Common Sense.  Common Sense Today (28:41) - We discuss the shortsightedness of American political action today and the parallels between contemporary concerns about American elites and Paine’s critique of the British aristocracy. Link: Angelo Codevilla, The Ruling Class. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (39:39) - We review our disastrous NBA playoff picks and then make projections for the PGA Championship. Links: List of PGA pros; List of LIV participants. Email: [email protected] YouTube: @DIAToday Intagram: @DemocracyinAmericaToday Keeping Our Republic at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The history of the American Revolution: Walter McDougall, Freedom Just Around the Corner; Robert Middlekauff, The Glorious Cause. David Corbin is the Provost of Colorado Christian University. Matt Parks and David Corbin both taught politics at The King’s College in New York City and have written together on reviving American republicanism, The Federalist, and Democracy in America. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker and not necessarily those of their present or former employers.