5.0 out of 5 stars An Oft Ignored Political Genius

R.W. · July 21, 2014

This is a masterful work of political philosophy that demonstrates how religion and politics complement each other. Brownson wrestled with the problem of secession from both perspectives, which in the end converged into a single, unified understanding. This synthesis of religion and politics is a momentous accomplishment and one of beauty.Brownson might well be the most insightful American political philosopher ever, while perhaps the most ignored as well. Thomas Jefferson's writings seem sophomoric beside Brownson's, and this is far from attributable to the fact that Jefferson preceded him in American history. Brownson dissects, as a surgeon, the third president's thought regarding sovereignty and the origins of government, pinpointing the flaws. Thanks to the ideological tilt in colleges and universities, however, Jefferson is roundly applauded, while Brownson is scarcely, if ever, even mentioned.If the many thorns and thistles in Burke's eighteenth century manner of English expression tries one's patience, then perhaps the place to start in understanding political conservatism is by reading Brownson, who generally writes without thick floral flourishes. Both thinkers, however, should be read and studied by all students of political philosophy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

S.F.S. · September 9, 2016

Excellent book from an underappreciated author. Foreword by Lawler is excellent.

4.0 out of 5 stars An American Classic

K.P. · February 15, 2017

Orestes Brownson was brilliant. This is a great book of historical value. Read it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

M. · April 11, 2015

Interesting read. ......should be a standard for high school history.

5.0 out of 5 stars The American Republic and Its Constitution.

N.A.o.B. · October 27, 2003

Written by former Transcendentalist turned Roman Catholic conservative, Orestes Brownson, _The American Republic_ is an inquiry into the nature of government, the formation of the Constitution, and the relationship between federal and states' rights in America right after the Civil War period. Orestes Brownson notes that he writes his book for all Americans but in particular for those who are Roman Catholic so as to understand their nation and its Constitution. As a Roman Catholic, Orestes Brownson bases much of his argument upon the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Saint Augustine, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Suarez, Pierre Leroux, and Abbate Gioberti, the majority of whom were also Catholic Christians. The first section of this book deals with the origins and nature of government. Orestes Brownson notes that a proper understanding of government is possible only by recognizing that man is a creature endowed with certain characteristics, but dependent upon his Creator. Next, he considers eight different theories which are offered as explanations of the origin of government and the principle of sovereignity. These theories are listed as:"I. Government originates in the right of the father to govern his child.II. It originates in convention, and is a social compact.III. It originates in the people, who, collectively taken, are sovereign.IV. Government springs from the spontaneous development of nature.V. It derives its right from the immediate and express appointment of God; -VI. From God through the Pope, or visible head of the spiritual society; -VII. From God through the people; -VIII. From God through the natural law."Orestes Brownson considers each of these theories in turn and shows how they are each problematic. In a subsequent section, Brownson considers the Constitution of government. Here he references the work of Traditionalist French Catholic, Count Joseph de Maistre, who wrote on the generation of constitutions and was a reactionary opponent of the French Revolution. Brownson argues against those revolutionaries who believe that constitution is determined by a social contract which is agreed upon as savages become civilized (such as the theory advocated by Jean-Jacques Rousseau). Brownson considers the sovereignity of kings and the Roman emperors and shows how they differ from the Constitution in America. Next Brownson turns his attention to the United States and its Constitution. In particular, Brownson examines the issue of Confederacy versus Union that was played out in the debate between federalist and anti-federalist and saw its realization in _The Constitution_ which superseded _The Articles of Confederation_. Indeed, it is the issue of states' rights which was to play such a large part in the subsequent Civil War between the Southern and Northern States. Brownson considers the issue of secession and shows how those in the Southern states believed themselves to belong to a Confederacy and thus believed that their states had the right to secede. Alternatively, those in the Northern states including then President Abraham Lincoln argued that the union must be preserved at all costs. Brownson shows how this preservation of the union occurred even at the risk of defying certain parts of the Constitution, at the same time as it was argued that it must be preserved. Brownson shows that since the member of the Confederacy of Southern States believed himself to belong to a confederacy and thus believed that his state had a right to secede from a confederacy to which it belonged he was not a traitor or a revolutionary since he acted within his beliefs. Brownson considers the reconstruction of the South and shows how the Civil War involved a conflict between different notions of democracy. The South represented an individualist (Jeffersonian) notion of democracy, as opposed to a territorial democracy or the socialistic democracy of those who wanted to preserve the union. The war was not fought over the issue of slavery contrary to what may have been believed in Europe at the time by those who advocated against slavery. Finally, Brownson turns his attention to the political destiny of the country. As a Roman Catholic, Brownson argues that religion must play an important role in the reshaping of the nation. After the Civil War, the entire nation emerged as a united people, and it is necessary for the Northern States to offer peace with those who they fought against in the South. Brownson remarks that the Catholic church is not to be united with the state, nor is the church to be subsumed under the state, but rather both must be allowed to freely exist. These remarks by Brownson are important for understanding his position and the position of the church regarding earthly sovereigns. This essay is an important contribution to political thought from a Roman Catholic perspective regarding the nation in America which had just undergone the turbulent struggle of the Civil War. In addition, this essay is important because it focuses upon an issue which was to continue to play such a large role in national politics, that of the rights of states. Much of the modern political debate can be understood in terms of this single issue.

1.0 out of 5 stars Boring

L. · September 1, 2021

This book falls far short of its reviews. It opens with a book length review of the book and author by a college professor who never uses two words with twenty will do. His obfuscatory scrivenry is exceeded only the blathering collection of misguided thoughts of Brownson. Brownson tried manfully to comment on events he lived through, but his weak mind and everchanging philosphy of life caused him to vascillate like a pendulum. Don't waste your time.

3.0 out of 5 stars Brownson has some interesting points to make in his exploration ...

B. · December 25, 2016

Brownson has some interesting points to make in his exploration of the causes of the Civil War. But he is less profound than usually thought, and very palpably misreads Madison, among others, in order to make history (and constitutional law) conform to his implausible (not to mention impractical) conceptions of "providential constitutionalism."