Author: Brock

Brock has been a teacher, a ski-bum and, following an internship at the B.C. Legislature, a trade policy advisor for the provincial government. From 2008 to 2015 he ran a small-scale organic vegetable farm with his wife, Heather, serving on the municipal agricultural advisory committee in later years. He has now turned his attention to research and writing, focussing on democratic renewal, improving governance and other political and philosophic interests, with the goal of writing a book on democratic reform. He lives on Vancouver Island with his wife and son where he enjoys good conversation, epic movies and old books.

Day 19 (p. 332 to 363): Writers in the past saw a more important and permanent place for religion in society. How seriously should we (relatively less religious societies) take their analyses today?

Reading old books is interesting for many reasons, but one of my favourites is seeing how people viewed religion before atheism became mainstream. I remember… Continue reading Day 19 (p. 332 to 363): Writers in the past saw a more important and permanent place for religion in society. How seriously should we (relatively less religious societies) take their analyses today?

PUBLISHED ON November 16, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
Church and State, Democracy in America, Malthus, religion, Tocqueville

Day 18 (p. 313 to 331): Tocqueville makes the bold claim that the widespread use of juries in America is the reason for their political prudence. Is Judge Judy to the citizenry what Sesame Street is to children?

“I think that the practical intelligence and political good sense of the Americans are mainly attributable to the long use which they have made of… Continue reading Day 18 (p. 313 to 331): Tocqueville makes the bold claim that the widespread use of juries in America is the reason for their political prudence. Is Judge Judy to the citizenry what Sesame Street is to children?

PUBLISHED ON November 13, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
aristocracy, Democracy in America, Judge Judy, judges, juries, lawyers, Tocqueville

Gender Balance: Because it’s 2015.

“This reminds me of Plato’s ideas about women in the Republic,” said Norm. “How surprising,” quipped Ira wryly, “Norm brings it back to the Republic.”… Continue reading Gender Balance: Because it’s 2015.

PUBLISHED ON November 12, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Politics, Responses to The Republic
Gender balance, human nature, national childcare, Plato's Republic, Trudeau

Day 17 (p. 294 to 312): Tocqueville argues that the majority does not have a right to vote for whatever laws it wants, but is limited by what is just. But who decides what is just and enforces it, if not the majority?

“…freedom of opinion does not exist in America (p. 307)”. This is not the opening line of Tocqueville’s chapter entitled, ‘Unlimited Power of the… Continue reading Day 17 (p. 294 to 312): Tocqueville argues that the majority does not have a right to vote for whatever laws it wants, but is limited by what is just. But who decides what is just and enforces it, if not the majority?

PUBLISHED ON November 12, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
Democracy in America, rights, Tocqueville

Brock Demus McLeod

On learning to govern ourselves.

Author: Brock

Notes on reading the Republic: Part 5 (335e to 336a)

Notes on reading Plato’s Republic: Part 4 (335b to 335e)

Notes on reading Plato’s Republic: Part 3 (331d to 335b)

First Draft of Chapter 5: Citizens’ Think Tank

Notes on reading Plato’s Republic: Post 2 (330c to 331d)

Notes on reading Plato’s Republic: Post 1 (327a to 300c)

Day 19 (p. 332 to 363): Writers in the past saw a more important and permanent place for religion in society. How seriously should we (relatively less religious societies) take their analyses today?

Day 18 (p. 313 to 331): Tocqueville makes the bold claim that the widespread use of juries in America is the reason for their political prudence. Is Judge Judy to the citizenry what Sesame Street is to children?

Gender Balance: Because it’s 2015.

Day 17 (p. 294 to 312): Tocqueville argues that the majority does not have a right to vote for whatever laws it wants, but is limited by what is just. But who decides what is just and enforces it, if not the majority?