DeepSummary
In this episode, AJ Jacobs describes his year-long experiment of living according to the intentions of the founding fathers and the original US Constitution. He wore historical clothing, used candlelight and quill pens, carried a musket, and tried to experience life as closely as possible to the late 18th century. Jacobs aimed to understand the Constitution better and determine if any practices from that era could improve modern life.
Jacobs reveals that the founding fathers had a more nuanced view of democracy than often portrayed, fearing mob rule and wanting checks on pure majority rule. He discusses how the original meanings of rights like free speech and gun ownership differed from current interpretations. The founders seemed more open to changing their minds than today's political rigidity.
While noting the Constitution's flaws like allowing slavery, Jacobs argues American democracy is fragile but can be saved through reforms and efforts to strengthen civic society. He advocates reviving old voting traditions like baking 'election cakes' to make democracy more celebratory again. Ultimately, Jacobs says it's up to the people to decide if the 'sun rises or sets' on America's democratic future.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The founding fathers had a more nuanced view of democracy, fearing potential 'mob rule' and wanting checks on pure majority rule.
- Interpretations of rights like free speech and gun ownership differed significantly from modern understandings.
- The founders seemed more open to changing views based on new information compared to today's political inflexibility.
- American democracy is fragile and requires active maintenance and reform efforts by citizens to strengthen it.
- Reviving celebratory civic traditions like baking 'election cakes' could help instill more societal appreciation for democracy.
- It is ultimately up to the American people to decide through their engagement whether the 'sun rises or sets' on the nation's democratic future.
- While flawed, the founding philosophy also emphasized civic virtue, sacrifice and responsibility to community alongside individual rights.
- Finding ways to bind society together more through shared experiences like national service could provide needed 'glue' for the divided nation.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Ben Franklin said he thought about it throughout the whole convention. At the end, when they finally made a constitution against all odds, Ben Franklin said, now I know the sun is rising on America, not setting. So I loved that as a metaphor. Is the sun still rising on America?“ by AJ Jacobs
- “I wish that the Constitution had a bill of responsibilities in addition to a bill of rights, but they just assumed that the responsibilities. Everyone knew that you were supposed to think of others.“ by AJ Jacobs
- “I am optimistic with an asterisk, I would say. It's up to us. It's not like a natural force, like gravity. We are the ones who are going to decide whether the sun rises or sets. I mean, I feel that we can make democracy work, but we have to have reforms and we have to get in there.“ by AJ Jacobs
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Episode Information
The Jordan Harbinger Show
Jordan Harbinger
5/23/24
What can a year of following the US Constitution per the founding fathers' intentions teach us about the future of democracy? A.J. Jacobs has answers here!
What We Discuss with A.J. Jacobs:
- The founding fathers were not entirely in favor of pure democracy. They feared mob rule and wanted checks and balances to prevent a tyranny of the majority. The Constitution was a big step forward for democracy at the time, but still had elements of elitism.
- The original meaning and interpretation of parts of the Constitution, such as the Second Amendment and free speech rights, are quite different from how they are viewed today. Both liberal and conservative perspectives would likely disapprove of some of the original 18th century understandings.
- The founding fathers seemed more open to changing minds and flexible thinking compared to the intransigent political positions common today. Examples like Ben Franklin and James Madison illustrate their willingness to admit uncertainty and change opinions based on reason and evidence.
- American democracy is fragile and must be actively maintained and protected. A.J. Jacobs remains optimistic that reforms and hard work can help save the American democratic system, but it requires dedication and the American people deciding to "lift the sun up" on the country's future.
- We can help revive an appreciation for democracy by making it fun and celebratory again, like it was back in the early days of America. Baking "election cakes" to share and enjoy while voting, or hosting festivities at polling places, can inject some much-needed positivity and help encourage participation. Simple acts like this are a good starting point to begin strengthening our civic society and democratic institutions.
- And much more...
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