Centralization and the New American Order

Abstract

This paper argues that centralization is both contrary to the received traditions of the American people and has proven negative to all aspects of good governance and society – excluding order which cannot long last once all else is lost. The paper is divided into two sections with an introduction and conclusion. The first is a historical survey of the ideas and events from the 1760s to 1868 and comprise the Revolution, formation of the Republic and establishment of the New Order. Section one establishes background and axioms referred to in the main argument in section two.

Section Two depends upon axioms established in Section One and defends the thesis that, Centralization has proven false, dangerous and a negative path because it is fundamentally contrary to nature, human nature, and natural law, and must invariably lead to less mortality, less liberty, less prosperity, and ultimately less happiness.

In summary, this paper argues that the central conflict in the American political system was between a Lockean liberal (universalism) polity and particularism (Montesquieu and Burke).

Keywords: Classical Liberalism, Universalism, Particularlism