Government Class
Jan/31/08 06:30 AM
So I'm in a government class this semester called Contemporary Conservatism in America taught by Professor Carey. It's a fascinating class to say the least. I'm torn, though, because we're assigned a theoretical 400 page novel plus a three to four page paper on the novel pretty much each week. This class alone dominates my Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights. In addition to that pain in the neck, the other twelve kids in the class must be government majors, because the knowledge and comments that they bring up in class make my head spin. Professor Carey is a character for sure, though. At first glance you'd think he's a few years past retirement and a slow, dry lecturer. However, once he gets into the readings and especially their application to the debacle of modern politics, he spruces right up and gets really excited. It's kind of funny to watch. He's one of those older people who likes to throw 'hell' and 'damned' into his claims and arguments. "Whatever the hell those damn politicians..."
Anyways, today we began discussing Bertrand de Jouvenel's "On Power: The Natural History of Its Growth". It was the first time that I have really had the opportunity to sat back and marvel at just how much power, of both man and government, has grown over time. Jouvenel claims that the almost-dictator Henry XIV would have been jealous at the power that today's U.S. President holds. That's a pretty crazy thought. I thought democracy was supposed to be the power of the people? He argues this through the frame of ever-increasing taxation, conscription, and the decline of natural law. We're just starting the discussion, but so far it's been very entertaining. Maybe all that reading and writing will be worth it...
Anyways, today we began discussing Bertrand de Jouvenel's "On Power: The Natural History of Its Growth". It was the first time that I have really had the opportunity to sat back and marvel at just how much power, of both man and government, has grown over time. Jouvenel claims that the almost-dictator Henry XIV would have been jealous at the power that today's U.S. President holds. That's a pretty crazy thought. I thought democracy was supposed to be the power of the people? He argues this through the frame of ever-increasing taxation, conscription, and the decline of natural law. We're just starting the discussion, but so far it's been very entertaining. Maybe all that reading and writing will be worth it...
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