Most American discussion of the problems of liberty is puerile. It is saddening to mark the difference in tone between the analysis of such matters at the time of the framing of our federal Constitution, and the superficial pretense of “science” in politics at most of our universities today. I have attended conferences at which well-reputed professors maintained that we may as well have complete centralization of power in Washington: this, they think, will be entirely consonant with personal freedom; for if you don’t like the way you’re treated, you can write to your congressman, who is responsive to the public will. Not only are such gentlemen and scholars theoretical illiterates, but they have ignored the terrible practical political lessons of this time of troubles.
Kirk
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