While Americans generally condemn the use of political violence, the topic has been put into the spotlight in recent years. What can Thomas Jefferson and Karl Marx's juxtaposing ideas teach us about …
Postmodernity, Chance, and Judicial Interpretation
This essay is about postmodern thought’s view of chance as compared to ancient and modern thought, and how this view turns judicial interpretation into a game of force. Throughout the history of …
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Individualism and Self-Interest in Atlas Shrugged
The dystopian world portrayed in Atlas Shrugged is an example of the collectivist ideal gone awry. Rand demonstrates the victory of the “men of ability” over the looters and the triumph of …
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Suburban Cosmopolitanism: How Niceness Undermines Patriotism
People have been surprised to learn that until rather recently I played music in a punk band. Despite my mild-mannered appearance, there was a time not so long ago when I would climb on stage and …
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The Implications of a National Popular Vote for President
Defenders of the winner-take-all method of the Electoral College predict that implementing a national popular vote would cause less-densely populated cities and states to be forgotten in presidential …
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Hate Speech Laws in Democratic Countries
In contrast to the United States policy of protecting hateful expression, a survey of democracy indices indicates that dozens of democracies have hate speech laws that restrict it. This challenges …
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Civil Warfare: Where U.S. and Russian Policy Meet Civil Society in Eurasia
Civil society in Eurasia is not always a friend to Washington, and is, at times, an ally to Moscow. This paper reviews select Eurasian civil society organizations and their role in Russian hybrid …
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Alexander Hamilton’s Vision of an American Monarchy
Alexander Hamilton's underlying arguments in The Federalist Papers and the Pacificus-Helvidius Debates of 1793-1794 expand the power of the presidency and display Hamilton's desire for a king-like …
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Justice, Ideology, and Struggle
Marx’s approach to questions of justice and morality are captured by this metaphilosophical position, whereby Marx rejects an understanding of philosophical inquiry as the pursuit of foundations and …
Hiding Behind Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln's ascent to power was surprising, but after a deep analysis it is clear that it was not at all unique. Just like Queen Esther, Lincoln was able to overcome extreme odds through …
Locke’s Questionable Use of the Bible in Establishing His Theory of Property
Locke’s philosophy is not only wrongly founded in the Old Testament, continually relying on the creation story of Genesis in order to justify capitalist theory, but it also selectively uses the Bible …
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Defining Criminality: Confronting Racist and Classist Narratives of the Criminal
Defining someone as a criminal carries serious consequences for the individual in terms of a denial of resources, increased surveillance, incarceration, and dehumanization, and also for society as a …
Compass is an online journal that provides a space for the work of talented undergraduates who have original and well-articulated insights on important ideas and issues relating to American democracy understood in the broad contexts of political philosophy, history, literature, economics, and culture.