The Spirit of Philadelphia

This book proposes a return of American government to the philosophical roots as articulated by the U.S. Constitution and its Framers.

The Spirit of Philadelphia is America's story told through the history of ideas and a cautionary tale of what happens when a nation's Spirit goes dormant.This book proposes a return of the American government to the philosophical roots as articulated by the U.S. Constitution and its Framers. Grounded in realism, the Founders successfully balanced the needs and rights of the individual with those of the collective, creating a system that prioritized both personal liberty and societal order. Author and former Congressman Chris Gibson argues that abandoning the "Spirit of Philadelphia" (essentially the national spirit of cooperation, compromise, and teamwork) enabled dysfunction in government and disillusionment in the constituency. Culminating a comprehensive list of policy recommendations that logically analyze issues in the American political system, the author proposes an agenda aimed at restoring faith and functionality in national institutions and leaders, fostering bipartisan communication and collaboration, and revitalizing civic engagement at the individual level.Illustrating the changes in the political landscape of America since the Philadelphia convention, this book is an important read for students of democracy, political participation, elections, and voter behavior.

Autorentext

Chris Gibson is the author of two previous books: Rally Point and Securing the State. He earned a Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University and a B.A. in History from Siena College. Chris and his wife, Mary Jo, a licensed clinical social worker, have been married for over 28 years, have three adult children, and live in upstate New York.

Inhalt

Introduction

Section I - Philosophy of Knowledge, Ethics, and Political Theory

Chapter 1 - Why Balance Is Crucial to Knowledge and Virtue

Chapter 2 - The Flourishing Life and Thriving Society

Chapter 3 - Thoughts on Political Theory

Section II - The Rise and Decline of American Common Sense Realism

Chapter 4 - Breaking With the Past

Chapter 5 - The Spirit of Philadelphia

Chapter 6 - Common Sense Realism - "A New Order of the Ages"

Chapter 7 - From Flourishing to Flailing - Why Political Philosophy Matters

Chapter 8 - The Mirage of Utopia

Section III - Recovering Founding Principles & Common Sense Realism

Chapter 9 - Restoring Trust

Chapter 10 - Reawakening the Spirit of Philadelphia

Chapter 11 - Notes for Us - "We the People"

Conclusion