Freedom comes from order, and freedom guarantees order - Thoughts after reading 'The Roots of American Order'.

Jun 23, 2025#reading19

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The book explores the historical influences on American governance, tracing connections from Christianity, Greek democracy, Roman law, and British limitations on monarchy to the founding of the United States. The author argues that America's order is rooted in these traditions, particularly emphasizing the Constitution's focus on individual freedoms and rights, which helps limit government power and prevent tyranny. The author believes that the respect for law and religious adherence among Americans is crucial for protecting rights like freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion, ensuring social order.

This book mainly discusses history, from Christianity, Greece, Rome, and Britain to American independence, the drafting of the Constitution, and the Civil War. The author's core argument is that the establishment of American order stems from Christian faith, Greek democratic awareness, Roman legal thought, British limitations on royal power, and Montesquieu's insights on the separation of powers. I personally believe that America's success lies in the fact that when the Constitution was drafted, it fully considered the freedoms and rights of the people, thereby reducing governmental tyranny through limitations on governmental power and the separation of powers. More importantly, most Americans adhere to some form of religion and hold a profound respect for the law. Only when personal rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion are protected can social order be guaranteed.