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A Bizarre World of Shadows.
The article reviews the book “Law Without Nations? Why Constitutional Government Requires Sovereign States," by Jeremy A Rabkin.
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A Founder of Nothing.
The article reviews the book "Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr," by Nancy Isenberg.
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A Lesson in Hermeneutics.
The article presents the poem "A Lesson in Hermeneutics," by Paul Lake. First Line: In Kenya, vervet monkeys take the ground; Last Line: Ending his dissertation in mid-squeak.
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A Prayer for Livia Grace at Christmas.
The article presents the poem "A Prayer for Livia Grace at Christmas," by James Matthew Wilson. First Line: There's little room left in this house for poetry, Last Line: I go. May I have more of this child, less poetry.
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A Real Education Reformer.
This article reviews the book "Troublemaker: A Personal History of School Reform Since Sputnik," by Chester E. Finn.
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Adalbert Stifter and the "Biedermeier" Imagination.
An essay is presented exploring the 19th century German Biedermeier literary movement as well as the influence and example of the author Adalbert Stifter within it. The strong political nature of literature within the classical canon and modern movement in Germany is described in depth. Prominent themes and benefits to be gleaned from Stifter's works regarding contemporary 21st century movements are also examined.
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After the Day's Work--ca. 1863.
This article presents the poem "After the Day's Work -- ca. 1863," by David Middleton. First Line: A high full moon now dominates the scene, Last Line: But one beyond this realm of moon and sun.
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Biographer: A Life.
This article presents the poem "Biographer: A Life," by David Middleton. First Line: He sits amid the facts he's gathered in; Last Line: Their hours enshrined in timeless epitaph.
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Christ Pantokrator.
The article presents the poem "Christ Pantokrator," by Catherine Savage Brosman. First Line: His right hand raised, its slender fingers curled, Last Line: of burning love, the body glorified.
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Christianity Reconsidered.
This article reviews the books "Earthly Powers: The Clash of Religion and Politics in Europe from the French Revolution to the Great War," by Michael Burleigh and "Sacred Causes: The Clash of Religion and Politics, from the Great War to the War on Terror," by Michael Burleigh.
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Conservatism and the Challenge of the "Modern Age".
The article introduces several feature essays within the issue, including Mark Malvasi's piece on the politics of the Southern United States, F. Roger Devlin's piece on progressivism vs. local traditions, and Adam K. Webb's discussion on cosmopolitanism.
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Conservatism and the Political Order.
This article presents an introduction to this issue, which discusses the nature of conservatism as a set of philosophical beliefs and its connection to politics.
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Correcting Taste.
This article reviews the book "Counterpoints: Twenty-five Years of the New Criterion on Culture and the Arts," edited by Roger Kimball.
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Cosmopolitanism with Real Roots.
The article presents a response to Adam Webb's essay "Taking Back the Cosmopolis," included within the issue, discussing the erroneous ideological associations of anti-liberalism with localism and the need for a more cosmopolitan framework. Criticism is offered regarding Webb's given examples of universalist conservatives and suggests that such models of a kind of moderate open-mindedness are unsuccessful in unifying cultures and ideologies.
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Cover Page.
The table of contents for the Winter 2008 issue of "Modern Age" is presented.
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Darwin in the English Department.
This article reviews the book "Darwin Loves You," by George Levine.
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Discivilization in the Criticism of George A. Panichas.
An essay is presented discussing the thought of social critic George A. Panichas. The author describes Panichas' thought in reference to his views on modern warfare and its dehumanizing effect on civilization in general. Books by Panichas are discussed, including "Dostoevsky's Spiritual Art: The Burden of Vision," "Promise of Greatness: The War of 1914-1918," and "The Courage of Judgment." The Enlightenment, post-modernism, and humanism are also discussed.
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Driving East after Rita.
This article reviews the poem "Driving East after Rita," by William Bedford Clark. First Line: Last chance for gas west of Beaumont, Last Line: ungrateful, quantum-haunted space.
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Education in British Universities.
An essay is presented discussing the problems in the educational systems and philosophies of universities in Great Britain. The author explains the educational approach in British schools, including discussions on the students' relationship to their lecturer, supervisor, and academic liberties. The author believes that the modern British system fails to provide the necessary freedoms and individuality to develop free-thinking students.
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Effortless Cosmopolitanism.
This article reviews the book "Johann Nepomuk Hummel: A Musician's Life and World," by Mark Kroll.
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Eric Voegelin on the Incarnate Christ.
This article examines the thoughts of political philosopher Eric Voegelin on the symbolic meaning of the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The author argues that this is important to Voegelin's overall philosophy, despite the limited attention it receives in his writings. Voegelin's ideas reconfigure core Christian beliefs while simultaneously reaffirming other aspects.
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Europe's Asian Country.
This article reviews the book "Russia &Asia: Nomadic &Oriental Traditions in Russian History," by Edgar Knobloch.
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Fighting Bob vs. Silent Cal: The Conservative Tradition from La Follette to Taft and Beyond.
This article examines American conservatism in the early part of the 20th century. The author examines the political legacy of Senator Robert La Follette and U.S. President Calvin Coolidge on conservative thought. He argues that despite the changing labels and circumstances, La Follette represents contemporary conservatism better than Coolidge.
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Human Freedom and the Limitations of Scientific Determinism.
This article examines the philosophical debate between free will and determinism. The author discusses how modern science and discoveries regarding evolution and genes impact concepts of freedom. The author suggests that despite these limitations on freedom there are spheres of human experience outside rigidly deterministic categories.
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In the Beginning: A Note from the Poetry Editor.
The article lists guidelines for the submission of poems to the journal.
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Islam's Christian Captives.
The article reviews the book “Captives and their Saviors in the Medieval Crown of Aragon," by Jarbel Rodríguez.
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Loving the World.
The article presents a response to Adam Webb's essay "Taking Back the Cosmopolis," included within the issue, discussing the erroneous ideological associations of anti-liberalism with localism and the need for a more cosmopolitan framework. It is suggested that many criticisms of cosmopolitanism are based in erroneous understandings of geopolitical scope and comparisons are given between the universalist ideologies of the American poets T. S. Eliot and Robert Frost.
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Mark Royden Winchell.
This article reviews the life and career of Professor Mark Winchell, who passed away in 2008. Winchell taught English at Clemson University. Winchell wrote several biographies including "Too Good to Be True: The Life and Work of Leslie Fiedler." He was a firm supporter of the New Criticism school of literary analysis.
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Micrographia.
This article reviews the book "Locke: A Biography," by Roger Woolhouse.
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Missa in Tempore Belli.
This article presents the poem "Missa in Tempore Belli," by William Bedford Clark. First Line: By noon the Mall awaits, Last Line: we're free to be what we shall be...
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Modern Age at the Threshold of a New Half Century.
The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one by Ryszard Legutko on the demise of liberalism and another by John Caiazza on theologian John Henry Newman and his book "Grammar of Assent."
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Monteagle Farmer.
This article presents the poem "Monteagle Farmer," by Wilmer Mills. First Line: An angus herd and one white cross-breed cow; Last Line: Where he will hate you with a perfect hate.
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My Home in the Cosmopolitan Anti-Liberal Menagerie.
The article presents a response to Adam Webb's essay "Taking Back the Cosmopolis," included within the issue, discussing the erroneous ideological associations of anti-liberalism with localism and the need for a more cosmopolitan framework. The author supports Webb's assertions, citing the political cooperation between diverse socio-ideological groups against liberal movements. Criticism is offered against the "universalist" ends of such alliances and their consequences on Christian philosophy.
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Never A Man for Causes.
The article reviews the book "George Kennan: A Study in Character," by John Lukacs.
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Not the West, but Europe.
The article reviews the book "Europe, East and West," by Norman Davies.
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Office of Good Intentions.
The article presents the poem "Office of Good Intentions," by Mary Katherine Williams. First Line: In the office of good intentions, I maintain a small desk; Last Line: The letter came back stamped in red "Décédé" (deceased).
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On Climate Change.
This article presents the perspective of the author, a nuclear physicist, on climate change. He outlines the evidence for climate change such as global warming from carbon dioxide emissions. However, there are many uncertainties such as the effect of water vapor and soot and weather and temperatures.
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Pro Haereses.
The article reviews the book "The New Inquisitions: Heretic Hunting and the Intellectual Origins of Modern Totalitarianism," by Arthur Versluis.
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Reason and Faith: A Lenten Reflection.
The article presents a speech by Pierre Manent, professor of philosophy at the Centre des recherches politiques Raymond Aron, delivered at Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris, France on February 25, 2007. He discusses the nature of truth, the relation between faith and reason, and the essence of freedom.
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Redefining America.
This article reviews the book "Ain't My America: The Long Noble History of Anti-War Conservatism and Middle-American Anti-Imperialism," by Bill Kauffman.
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Religious Belief in Newman's Grammar of Assent.
An essay is presented discussing John Henry Cardinal Newman's book "An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent." The author focuses on Newman's philosophical approach to logic, moral empiricism, conscience, and religious psychology. The author explains how Newman attempted to account for religious belief by building a logical superstructure upon which religious decisions could be conducted and made comprehensible. Newman is compared to philosophers such as Aristotle, Edmund Burke, and William James.
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René Girard's Accusation: Intellectuals are the Castrators of Meaning.
The article presents a translated reprint of an interview with radical anthropologist Réné Girard, criticising postmodern deconstructionism and other 21st century intellectual movements. Subjects discussed include the definition of violence and its religious aspects, the ideological stances of Pope Benedict XVI, and European "metaphysical boredom."
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T. S. Eliot at Norwich, 1942.
The article presents the poem "T. S. Eliot at Norwich, 1942," by Stella Nesanovich. First Line: Swirl and riddle beyond the gray wall; Last Line: walls.
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Taking Back the Cosmopolis.
An essay is presented discussing the ideological associations of liberal modernism with cosmopolitanism and anti-liberal critics with localism. The common intellectual categorization and assumptions of terminology and aesthetics of geopolitical place within the realm of liberalism vs. conservatism are criticized, suggesting that critics of liberal modernism are just as capable of working within a cosmopolitan framework and ought to do so.
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The Allure of "Demonic Patriotism".
The article reviews the book “Americanism: The Fourth Great Western Religion," by David Gelernter.
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The Decline of Common Law Constitutionalism in Canada.
An essay is presented discussing decline of common law political theory in Canada. It describes how prior to 1982 the Canadian government functioned under a British-style parliamentary system that limited questions of governance to the relationship between national and provincial governments. Afterwards, Canada adopted an American-style liberal system that privileged individual civil rights. The author believes the liberal system is in dissonance with Canada's Tory-like past.
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The Energy Crisis.
An essay is presented regarding the global problem of an energy supply shortage in the 21st century and the means to address it. An overview of multiple energy sources and their comparative benefits and risks is provided, including fossil fuels and renewable sources. Additional mention is given concerning the many factors of cost and efficiency when determining superior systems.
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The Idea of the University, Again.
This article reviews the book " The Institution of Intellectual Values: Realism and Idealism in Higher Education," by Gordon Graham.
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The Lasting South? A Reconsideration After Fifty Years.
An essay is presented offering an exploration into the political and social conditions and attitudes of the Southern United States in the 1950s. The dominant Southern ideology of individualism and resistance to conformity and progressivism is discussed in depth, linking it to the region's latent identification with the Civil War. Additional subjects mentioned include the manifestations of race relations and attitudes of Christian eschatology within their ideology.
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The Neoconservative Way of Thinking.
The article reviews the book “In Defense of the Bush Doctrine," by Robert G. Kaufman.
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The Redemption of the Clerks.
The article reviews the book "Imagining Our Time: Recollections and Reflections on American Writing," by Lewis P. Simpson.
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The Sacralization of Politics.
The article reviews the book “The Strange Death of Marxism: The European Left in the New Millennium," by Paul Edward Gottfried.
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The Secret of American Vitality.
The article reviews the book “Republicanism, Religion, and the Soul of America," by Ellis Sandoz.
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The Young Stephen Tonsor: Teacher, Historicist, and Conservative.
The article presents a profile of the 20th century Catholic conservative historian Stephen Tonsor. An overview of Tonsor's career is given, highlighting his dominant theories regarding the progression and historiography of democracy within the modern era. Additional mention is given concerning his incorporation of Catholicism to the philosophy of historiography and human progress based on the tenet of loyalty to truth.
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Vachel Lindsay's Covenant with America.
This article examines the life and work of poet Vachel Lindsay, who committed suicide in 1931. Lindsay stood against the tide of modernism and secularism that swept through American during the early part of the 20th century. He feared the effects of technological change and an emphasis on individuality on America's core values.
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Vaux-le-Vicomte.
The article presents the poem "Vaux-le-Vicomte," by Catharine Savage Brosman. First Line: This vast estate, a parvenu's grand dream, Last Line: now playing to the dark house of the grave.
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Wagner's Ambiguities.
The article reviews the book "Richard Wagner and the Jews," by Milton E. Brener.
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We Came to Hear Dickens.
The article presents a fictional narrative of the author Charles Dickens' reading tour through New England in 1867. It discusses Dickens' reading of "A Christmas Carol" at such places as the Tremont Temple in Boston, Massachusetts and Steinway Hall in New York City. Dickens' tour manager George Putnam is discussed.
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What's Wrong With Liberalism?
An essay is presented discussing the theory and practice of liberalism. The author describes arguments against liberalism, exploring whether authoritarian, conservative, or communistic regimes offer better political alternatives. The author believes that liberalism fails to offer the freedoms and civil liberties it promises. The concepts of Marxism, materialism, pluralism, monism, discrimination, multiculturalism, and inclusiveness are also discussed.
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