by W.D James Three of the most important factors in the emergence, growth, and maintenance of organic social order are free agreement, mutual aid, and love. Typically, a particular thinker will emphasize one above the others. In his foundational political treatise on federalism of 1603, Politica, Johannes Althusius brings them all into play and weaves … Continue reading Agreement, Mutual Aid, and Love (Reviving Federalism, Part 2)
by W.D James Federalism is not a sexy concept. I think that is unfortunate. I can’t help but notice that with the rapid onslaught of authoritarian and totalitarian developments in Western Democracies over the past eight or so years, the United States has fared a little better than others. To limit ourselves to the Anglosphere, … Continue reading A Republic of Republics of Republics (Reviving Federalism, Part 1)
by W.D. James To see a World in a Grain of SandAnd a Heaven in a Wild FlowerHold Infinity in the palm of your handAnd Eternity in an hour - William Blake, Auguries of Innocence Can we justify being inactive? Byung-Chul Han, in his Vita Contemplativa, speaks of a ‘politics of inactivity,’ a ‘utopia of … Continue reading The Politics of Friendship (Chrono-Politics, Part 6)
by W.D. James O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?And the Rockets' red glare, the Bombs bursting in air,Gave proof through the night that our Flag … Continue reading Ritual vs. Porn (Chrono-Politics, Part 5)
by W.D. James Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin' Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin' They just use your mind and you never get the credit It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it - Dolly Parton, Working 9 to 5i According to Byung-Chul Han … Continue reading Burnout (Chrono-Politics, Part 4)
by W.D. James What could a businessman ever want moreThan to have us sucking in his storeWe owe you nothing, you have no controlYou are not what you own - Fugazi, Merchandisei As we saw in the essays on Josef Pieper, the modern world threatens to produce a regime of ‘total work.’ He had advocated … Continue reading Being vs. Having (Chrono-Politics, Part 3)
by W.D. James When the revelation (revolution) comesWhen the revelation (revolution) comesO Lord I want to be in that numberWhen the saints go marching in When the rich go out and workWhen the rich go out and workO Lord I want to be in that numberWhen the saints go marching in - When the Saints … Continue reading Freedom in Time (Chrono-Politics, Part 2)
by W.D. James You load 16 tons, what do you get?Another day older and deeper in debtSt. Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't goI owe my soul to the company store - Tennessee Earnie Ford, Sixteen Tonsi Time is a fundamental aspect of our existence. Probably the most important thinker of the 20th … Continue reading Total Work (Chrono-Politics, Part 1)
by W.D. James In ‘Darmok,’ an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the crew of the Enterprise come across a people whose language the AI powered Universal Translator is unable to make sense of. They say things like “The River Temarc; in winter” and “Rai and Jiri at Lungha” and nothing else. It turns out these Tamarians … Continue reading The mythos of American liberty
by W.D. James A Review of Christendom or Europe? by Novalis (with introduction by Michael Martin) Angelico Press acquired or otherwise subsumed Philosophia Perennis Press, one of only a very few publishers of Traditionalist books, several years ago. Their combined list of books and authors is stellar. One of their most recent offerings is a … Continue reading Immanent Sophia
winter oak 