Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Liberating The Truth In Augustine’S Confessions And Douglass’ Narrative, Vincent Hanrahan

Compass: An Undergraduate Journal of American Political Ideas

In this paper, I explore how Frederick Douglass’ and St. Augustine's understanding of the corruption of God's word produced their respective achievement of freedom. In examining Augustine’s Confessions and Douglass’ Narrative, we come to understand the moral imperative of public service both thinkers promoted; the idea that individuals have a distinct social obligation to share their knowledge in a promotion of the greater good.

James Madison, American Liberalism, And The Problem Of The “Gordian Knot”, Nicholas Marr

Compass: An Undergraduate Journal of American Political Ideas

Federal jurisdiction is virtually unlimited today and the strength and survivability of liberalism, our nation’s animating political philosophy, is hotly debated. These issues are connected and James Madison’s thinking provides some insight into exactly how that might be.

Tocqueville And The Earthbound American Spirit, Jack Sauter

Compass: An Undergraduate Journal of American Political Ideas

This article assesses the gulf between Tocqueville’s claim that human beings have naturally transcendent souls and his observations of the democratic souls of Americans.

Author information: Jack Sauter is a senior at Northern Illinois University studying political science and Spanish. He plans to teach English abroad for a year before going to graduate school.