| From | Intercollegiate Review <[email protected]> |
| Subject | Freedom at home and abroad |
| Date | July 11, 2024 6:10 PM |
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The best of intellectual conservative thought.
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CATEGORY: CULTURE (5 MIN)
America adrift
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The nation faces a huge choice this November between two candidates, but neither main party has come forward with very optimistic takes on the current state of the country. Pretty much everyone agrees that there are tremendous issues with America’s health. But people disagree on what those issues are—and how to fix them.
For Newsweek, ISI President Johnny Burtka discusses many of the problems facing the U.S., connecting them to the tragic loss of the American Dream for the younger generation. Burtka begins by contrasting the classic goal of independent home ownership with the destructive modern jump from rental to rental with no real property of one’s own. As Burtka points out, average monthly mortgage payments have doubled in only four years.
But Burtka does not believe economic problems are the only ones crippling America. He lays out four other cultural issues, using statistics to support his analysis. First, he points to the death of the family—fewer children are born, and more of them to unmarried parents. Next, he criticizes the growth of addiction; addiction to social media, pornography, drugs, and more.
Burtka then laments the collapse in American civic literacy and religious affiliation, cornerstones of a healthy country that have fallen by the wayside. In response to these maladies, Burtka calls for leaders who will draw the nation’s hearts towards solving them.
Read his article here.
Read Now
[link removed]
Weekly Poll
Which problem do you think has had the worst effect on America?
[A] Rise of housing prices
[B] Loss of the family unit
[C] Growth of addiction
[D] Fall in civic literacy
[E] Decline in religious affiliation
[link removed]
RESULTS: 7/4/24
Who do you think won the first 2024 presidential debate?
[A] Joe Biden - 3.8%
[B] Donald Trump - 70.9%
[C] It was a draw - 5.1%
[D] I didn't watch - 20.3%
[link removed]
CATEGORY: INTERNATIONAL (4 MIN)
A French standoff
[link removed]
Massive elections dramatically changed the political state of Western Europe over the past few weeks. In the UK, the left-wing Labour Party thrashed its opponents to take commanding control of Parliament under new Prime Minister Keir Starmer. But in France, three coalitions fell far short of the necessary vote totals to have a majority in their parliament, leaving a leftist conglomerate with a plurality but no way to consolidate power.
Jonathan Miller, a reporter for The Spectator who lives in France, gives his own take on the French elections and the future of a country known for historical political upheaval. Miller places the blame for the hung government on President Emmanuel Macron, who failed to garner enough support for his centrist party.
Miller fears the left-wing plurality, saying it is “infested with Trots, extremists, woo-woo Greens, Islamists, superannuated comrades, Antifa activists, Israel haters, America haters, Nato haters, and wokistes.” But he thinks Macron cannot and will not give them the power they seek. Instead, Macron will continue to govern with little true authority, Miller projects.
Who won the elections, then? Miller argues it is Marine Le Pen, the head of the right-wing third-place party. Miller believes Le Pen will earn credibility at the expense of those failing to lead, bringing her success down the road.
Read Miller’s entire take right here.
Read Now
[link removed]
[link removed]
CATEGORY: VIDEO
Feminism, Complementary Roles and Laura Ingalls Wilder | Dr. Susan Hanssen
[link removed]
Join Dr. Susan Hanssen, Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department at the University of Dallas, for an insightful lecture at an Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) conference. Dr. Hanssen examines the profound impact of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie series on shaping young American minds and its depiction of complementary roles between men and women. She also addresses why these books are often criticized by feminists for their traditional values.
In this lecture, Dr. Hanssen highlights how the Little House books have influenced generations, portraying pioneering life with a focus on family dynamics and gender roles. Additionally, she briefly discusses C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man, connecting its themes to Wilder's portrayal of moral and societal principles.
Dr. Susan Hanssen holds a Ph.D. in history from Rice University and has taught courses on American Civilization, Western Civilization, and Women in American History. She has been a fellow at Princeton University and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, contributing extensively to public discourse on conservative politics and culture.
Watch Now
[link removed]
ISI's Annual
Homecoming Weekend
Join ISI on September 20-21, 2024, for a garden party that’ll welcome students, professors, alumni, and friends of ISI from across the country.
Every year, we host ISI’s annual Homecoming festivities right on our 20-acre campus tucked away into a bucolic pocket of Wilmington, DE. Our Homecoming sets the tone for the new school year and is an opportunity to celebrate and network with our impressive community of students, teachers, alumni, and professionals from a variety of backgrounds.
Official Homecoming Schedule:
Friday, September 20 (6:30 pm – 11 pm)
Guests will gather at ISI’s campus for a reception, bonfire, and open house
Saturday, September 21
Guests will gather at ISI's Campus for an 8:00 am breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 am: Reagan and Nixon Revisited
Speakers: George Will and Lord Conrad Black, moderated by Dan McCarthy
10:30 am: The Democratization of American Christianity
Speakers: Rusty Reno, Nathan Hatch, and Joshua Mitchell, moderated by Johnny Burtka
Top 20 under 30 Awards Ceremony
12:00 – 1:15 pm: God and Man at Yale 2024
Michael Knowles (lecture) and moderated discussion feat. Michael Brendan Dougherty
1:15 pm: Lunch and festivities begin
Reserve your ticket>>>
[link removed]
Because our student editors and writers are bravely bringing conservative ideas to their campuses, we’re highlighting their efforts here.
NH Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Speak at Dartmouth
[link removed]
via The Dartmouth Review
“On Wednesday, May 22, the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy, the Dartmouth Democrats, the NH Young Democrats, and the NH College Democrats hosted a gubernatorial forum with the 2024 Democratic candidates for New Hampshire governor. The three declared candidates, Mayor Joyce Craig of Manchester, Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, who represents the Upper Valley, and businessman Jon Kiper, who has previously served in Newmarket town government, were in attendance. The three candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination following current Governor Chris Sununu’s decision to not seek reelection to a fifth term. Sununu, one of the most popular governors in the country, has handily defeated Democratic challengers on numerous occasions since he first narrowly won in 2016. His decision to forgo another term presents Democrats with their best chance to win back the governorship in years.”
Joe Biden is Clearly Not the Best Option for Democrats in 2024. So Who Should the Replacement Be?
[link removed]
via The Michigan Review
“Most political enthusiasts across the United States were rather intrigued to observe and analyze the first presidential debate of the 2024 U.S. election cycle. This enthusiasm was not necessarily because they expected an intellectually heavy, fierce, and energetic discussion. More likely, the excitement was related to the prospect of a rematch between current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Additionally, many were intrigued to see how President Biden would perform in this debate. There has been considerable scrutiny
[link removed]
regarding Biden’s cognitive abilities and apparent decline. Video footage
[link removed]
has frequently surfaced of President Biden struggling to articulate coherent sentences, stumbling over his words, and appearing considerably less coherent than we’ve seen from Biden in the past.”
Sport: a New Arena of Political and Economic Influence
[link removed]
via The Bruin Review
“What becomes of our priorities when we see a soccer World Cup organized in winter to satisfy the interests of Qatar, a country where stadiums seem to take precedence over human life, or when we envisage winter games in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert? In today’s world, sport is no longer limited to its competitive or entertaining aspects. It has become a major tool for projecting power and influence for countries and companies. This evolution marks a significant turning point where sport is now increasingly used strategically to promote political and economic agendas, often to the detriment of its original core values. Nations such as the Gulf States and Russia, as well as corporations and even Western countries like France and the USA, have embraced this trend, transforming sport into an instrument of soft power and propaganda.”
CATEGORY: PHILOSOPHY (11 MIN)
What freedom requires
[link removed]
France is known not only for a tumultuous political history but also for a rich tradition of philosophers with an eclectic variety of beliefs. Descartes, Voltaire, de Tocqueville, Rousseau, and many other thinkers have contributed extremely different yet highly influential ideas to the intellectual world. Even in the modern day, French thought continues to impact theorists around the globe.
In this week’s article from the Modern Age website, Paul Seaton discusses one of these modern French philosophers: Raymond Aron. Seaton tethers his analysis to a recent translation of Aron’s final lecture before retirement from the Collège de France, Liberty and Equality.
First recognizing Daniel J. Mahoney (winner of ISI’s 2023 Conservative Book of the Year Award) as the “dean of American Aron scholars,” Seaton dives into the rich body of Aron’s work and his interaction with other major thinkers of the time. Seaton says Aron believed liberalism should be more than just freedom—it should work to defend timeless values.
Aron asked what would happen “if liberty, instead of taking its rightful place among the human goods, and indeed elevated in a special way in liberal societies, sought to run roughshod over them?” As Seaton writes, “Aron saw this happening in 1968 and warned against it.”
To learn about Aron’s work and his critique of thinkers like Friedrich Hayek, read Seaton’s essay here on the Modern Age website.
Read Now
[link removed]
Thought of the Day:
“Men cannot improve a society by setting fire to it: they must seek out its old virtues, and bring them back into the light.”
- Russell Kirk
Join ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club
It’s never been easier for you to support our mission—and stay part of our community—with ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club!
For just $19.53 a month, you can join the fight and “pay it forward” by educating the next generation for ordered liberty.
Join the Club
[link removed]
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Copyright © 2024, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
3901 Centerville Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
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CATEGORY: CULTURE (5 MIN)
America adrift
[link removed]
The nation faces a huge choice this November between two candidates, but neither main party has come forward with very optimistic takes on the current state of the country. Pretty much everyone agrees that there are tremendous issues with America’s health. But people disagree on what those issues are—and how to fix them.
For Newsweek, ISI President Johnny Burtka discusses many of the problems facing the U.S., connecting them to the tragic loss of the American Dream for the younger generation. Burtka begins by contrasting the classic goal of independent home ownership with the destructive modern jump from rental to rental with no real property of one’s own. As Burtka points out, average monthly mortgage payments have doubled in only four years.
But Burtka does not believe economic problems are the only ones crippling America. He lays out four other cultural issues, using statistics to support his analysis. First, he points to the death of the family—fewer children are born, and more of them to unmarried parents. Next, he criticizes the growth of addiction; addiction to social media, pornography, drugs, and more.
Burtka then laments the collapse in American civic literacy and religious affiliation, cornerstones of a healthy country that have fallen by the wayside. In response to these maladies, Burtka calls for leaders who will draw the nation’s hearts towards solving them.
Read his article here.
Read Now
[link removed]
Weekly Poll
Which problem do you think has had the worst effect on America?
[A] Rise of housing prices
[B] Loss of the family unit
[C] Growth of addiction
[D] Fall in civic literacy
[E] Decline in religious affiliation
[link removed]
RESULTS: 7/4/24
Who do you think won the first 2024 presidential debate?
[A] Joe Biden - 3.8%
[B] Donald Trump - 70.9%
[C] It was a draw - 5.1%
[D] I didn't watch - 20.3%
[link removed]
CATEGORY: INTERNATIONAL (4 MIN)
A French standoff
[link removed]
Massive elections dramatically changed the political state of Western Europe over the past few weeks. In the UK, the left-wing Labour Party thrashed its opponents to take commanding control of Parliament under new Prime Minister Keir Starmer. But in France, three coalitions fell far short of the necessary vote totals to have a majority in their parliament, leaving a leftist conglomerate with a plurality but no way to consolidate power.
Jonathan Miller, a reporter for The Spectator who lives in France, gives his own take on the French elections and the future of a country known for historical political upheaval. Miller places the blame for the hung government on President Emmanuel Macron, who failed to garner enough support for his centrist party.
Miller fears the left-wing plurality, saying it is “infested with Trots, extremists, woo-woo Greens, Islamists, superannuated comrades, Antifa activists, Israel haters, America haters, Nato haters, and wokistes.” But he thinks Macron cannot and will not give them the power they seek. Instead, Macron will continue to govern with little true authority, Miller projects.
Who won the elections, then? Miller argues it is Marine Le Pen, the head of the right-wing third-place party. Miller believes Le Pen will earn credibility at the expense of those failing to lead, bringing her success down the road.
Read Miller’s entire take right here.
Read Now
[link removed]
[link removed]
CATEGORY: VIDEO
Feminism, Complementary Roles and Laura Ingalls Wilder | Dr. Susan Hanssen
[link removed]
Join Dr. Susan Hanssen, Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department at the University of Dallas, for an insightful lecture at an Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) conference. Dr. Hanssen examines the profound impact of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie series on shaping young American minds and its depiction of complementary roles between men and women. She also addresses why these books are often criticized by feminists for their traditional values.
In this lecture, Dr. Hanssen highlights how the Little House books have influenced generations, portraying pioneering life with a focus on family dynamics and gender roles. Additionally, she briefly discusses C.S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man, connecting its themes to Wilder's portrayal of moral and societal principles.
Dr. Susan Hanssen holds a Ph.D. in history from Rice University and has taught courses on American Civilization, Western Civilization, and Women in American History. She has been a fellow at Princeton University and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, contributing extensively to public discourse on conservative politics and culture.
Watch Now
[link removed]
ISI's Annual
Homecoming Weekend
Join ISI on September 20-21, 2024, for a garden party that’ll welcome students, professors, alumni, and friends of ISI from across the country.
Every year, we host ISI’s annual Homecoming festivities right on our 20-acre campus tucked away into a bucolic pocket of Wilmington, DE. Our Homecoming sets the tone for the new school year and is an opportunity to celebrate and network with our impressive community of students, teachers, alumni, and professionals from a variety of backgrounds.
Official Homecoming Schedule:
Friday, September 20 (6:30 pm – 11 pm)
Guests will gather at ISI’s campus for a reception, bonfire, and open house
Saturday, September 21
Guests will gather at ISI's Campus for an 8:00 am breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 am: Reagan and Nixon Revisited
Speakers: George Will and Lord Conrad Black, moderated by Dan McCarthy
10:30 am: The Democratization of American Christianity
Speakers: Rusty Reno, Nathan Hatch, and Joshua Mitchell, moderated by Johnny Burtka
Top 20 under 30 Awards Ceremony
12:00 – 1:15 pm: God and Man at Yale 2024
Michael Knowles (lecture) and moderated discussion feat. Michael Brendan Dougherty
1:15 pm: Lunch and festivities begin
Reserve your ticket>>>
[link removed]
Because our student editors and writers are bravely bringing conservative ideas to their campuses, we’re highlighting their efforts here.
NH Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Speak at Dartmouth
[link removed]
via The Dartmouth Review
“On Wednesday, May 22, the Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy, the Dartmouth Democrats, the NH Young Democrats, and the NH College Democrats hosted a gubernatorial forum with the 2024 Democratic candidates for New Hampshire governor. The three declared candidates, Mayor Joyce Craig of Manchester, Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, who represents the Upper Valley, and businessman Jon Kiper, who has previously served in Newmarket town government, were in attendance. The three candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination following current Governor Chris Sununu’s decision to not seek reelection to a fifth term. Sununu, one of the most popular governors in the country, has handily defeated Democratic challengers on numerous occasions since he first narrowly won in 2016. His decision to forgo another term presents Democrats with their best chance to win back the governorship in years.”
Joe Biden is Clearly Not the Best Option for Democrats in 2024. So Who Should the Replacement Be?
[link removed]
via The Michigan Review
“Most political enthusiasts across the United States were rather intrigued to observe and analyze the first presidential debate of the 2024 U.S. election cycle. This enthusiasm was not necessarily because they expected an intellectually heavy, fierce, and energetic discussion. More likely, the excitement was related to the prospect of a rematch between current President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Additionally, many were intrigued to see how President Biden would perform in this debate. There has been considerable scrutiny
[link removed]
regarding Biden’s cognitive abilities and apparent decline. Video footage
[link removed]
has frequently surfaced of President Biden struggling to articulate coherent sentences, stumbling over his words, and appearing considerably less coherent than we’ve seen from Biden in the past.”
Sport: a New Arena of Political and Economic Influence
[link removed]
via The Bruin Review
“What becomes of our priorities when we see a soccer World Cup organized in winter to satisfy the interests of Qatar, a country where stadiums seem to take precedence over human life, or when we envisage winter games in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert? In today’s world, sport is no longer limited to its competitive or entertaining aspects. It has become a major tool for projecting power and influence for countries and companies. This evolution marks a significant turning point where sport is now increasingly used strategically to promote political and economic agendas, often to the detriment of its original core values. Nations such as the Gulf States and Russia, as well as corporations and even Western countries like France and the USA, have embraced this trend, transforming sport into an instrument of soft power and propaganda.”
CATEGORY: PHILOSOPHY (11 MIN)
What freedom requires
[link removed]
France is known not only for a tumultuous political history but also for a rich tradition of philosophers with an eclectic variety of beliefs. Descartes, Voltaire, de Tocqueville, Rousseau, and many other thinkers have contributed extremely different yet highly influential ideas to the intellectual world. Even in the modern day, French thought continues to impact theorists around the globe.
In this week’s article from the Modern Age website, Paul Seaton discusses one of these modern French philosophers: Raymond Aron. Seaton tethers his analysis to a recent translation of Aron’s final lecture before retirement from the Collège de France, Liberty and Equality.
First recognizing Daniel J. Mahoney (winner of ISI’s 2023 Conservative Book of the Year Award) as the “dean of American Aron scholars,” Seaton dives into the rich body of Aron’s work and his interaction with other major thinkers of the time. Seaton says Aron believed liberalism should be more than just freedom—it should work to defend timeless values.
Aron asked what would happen “if liberty, instead of taking its rightful place among the human goods, and indeed elevated in a special way in liberal societies, sought to run roughshod over them?” As Seaton writes, “Aron saw this happening in 1968 and warned against it.”
To learn about Aron’s work and his critique of thinkers like Friedrich Hayek, read Seaton’s essay here on the Modern Age website.
Read Now
[link removed]
Thought of the Day:
“Men cannot improve a society by setting fire to it: they must seek out its old virtues, and bring them back into the light.”
- Russell Kirk
Join ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club
It’s never been easier for you to support our mission—and stay part of our community—with ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club!
For just $19.53 a month, you can join the fight and “pay it forward” by educating the next generation for ordered liberty.
Join the Club
[link removed]
Follow on Twitter Friend on Facebook Forward to Friend
Copyright © 2024, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
3901 Centerville Road
Wilmington, DE 19807
unsubscribe from all emails
[link removed]
update subscription preferences
[link removed]
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