Just finished this book and this book and would highly recommend it. The thought that swirled in my head after I finished it last night had really nothing to do with the book but rather was a philosophical conversation that should probably be addressed. The way the author presents his case showing the failing of Hobbs, More, Plato and Marx next to the ideas of , John Locke, Charles de Montesquieu and Alexis de Toqueville it became even more clear.
The question that I found myself pondering in the end didn’t have anything to do with America but rather with how does the contrast of ideas explain the presence and prominence of the Church. It seems to be a conflict of ideas but an accepted contrast of ideas for a large number of conservatives.
For example the church requires a surrendering of the individuals will to a representative who can dictate laws who has not been elected by the people. Perhaps the difference here is that the promise of utopia is delivered in some other dimension or that people genuinely have enough doubt in the basis of religion that power and influence of the church really does not impede their will?
Religion aside it was a great book and worth a read, especially for anyone who is a fan of philosophy and how an idea can change the world.
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