by David Tollen | Dec 12, 2016 | Classical Civilization
The early Roman Empire survived two mentally unbalanced emperors: Caligula and Nero. In fact, neither seems to have harmed the economy or disrupted the lives of the common people, despite bizarre behavior. That’s encouraging in the age of Donald Trump. During...
by David Tollen | Nov 3, 2016 | Classical Civilization, The Recent Modern Age
You might think it’s aristocrats and the rich who most threaten democracy. But actually democracy tends to die the hands of angry working people, who turn against elites and their own constitution and follow an authoritarian leader. That leader destroys democracy, or...
by David Tollen | Oct 10, 2016 | The Recent Modern Age, Legal History
Last night, Donald Trump told Hillary Clinton he plans to put her in jail if he’s elected President of the United States. Dictators threaten to arrest political rivals. American presidential candidates never have. One of the central features of our democracy,...
by David Tollen | Jul 19, 2016 | The Recent Modern Age
The Republican Party has nominated a truly unusual candidate for President. More than any major party nominee in history, Donald Trump has spoken against the principles and policies of America’s Founding Fathers. He has opposed legal restraints on government...
by David Tollen | Jul 16, 2016 | Current Politics
When a single man can kill eighty-four with a truck, it’s time to let go of the illusion that governments can keep us safe from political violence. Lone-wolf terrorist attacks have become part of modern life, and no one can change that. We should accept it and...
