America on Trial: A Defense of the Founding

by Robert R. Reilly

The Founding of the American Republic is on trial. Critics say it was a poison pill with a time-release formula; we are its victims. Its principles are responsible for the country's moral and social disintegration because they were based on the Enlightenment falsehood of radical individual autonomy. In this well-researched book, Robert Reilly not guilty. To prove his case, he traces the lineage of the ideas that made the United States, and its ordered liberty, possible. These concepts were extraordinary when they first burst upon the ancient the Judaic oneness of God, who creates ex nihilo and imprints his image on man; the Greek rational order of the world based upon the Reason behind it; and the Christian arrival of that Reason (Logos) incarnate in Christ. These may seem a long way from the American Founding, but Reilly argues that they are, in fact, its bedrock. Combined, they mandated the exercise of both freedom and reason. These concepts were further developed by thinkers in the Middle Ages, who formulated the basic principles of constitutional rule. Why were they later rejected by those claiming the right to absolute rule, then reclaimed by the American Founders, only to be rejected again today? Reilly reveals the underlying the conflict of might makes right versus right makes might . America's decline, he claims, is not to be discovered in the Founding principles, but in their disavowal.

Genres: History, Politics, American History, Nonfiction, American Revolution

384 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2020

About the author

Robert R. Reilly is a writer and senior fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council (since 2008). He has published on topics of US foreign policy and "war of ideas".

During 1968 to 1970, he served as tank platoon leader (1st Lieutenant) in the 1/18th Armored Cavalry at Fort Lewis, Washington. He worked in the private sector 1977 to 1981, and for The Heritage Foundation (1981, 1989) the U.S. Information Agency (1981–1983) and as Special Assistant to Ronald Reagan during the latter's first term (1983–1985). He was Senior Advisor for Public Diplomacy at the US Embassy in Berne, Switzerland (1985–1988). He produced and hosted a weekly talk-show on foreign policy, On the Line, for Voice of America & Worldnet TV (1990–2001) and was director of Voice of America (2001–2002).

He acted as Senior Advisor for Information Strategy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense during 2002 to 2006 and as Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Information Ministry during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In 2007 he was Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications, School for National Security Executive Education, National Defense University.

Reilly in 2010 published The Closing of the Muslim Mind, published by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. In the book, he draws a connection between the decline of the "rational" theological school of Mu'tazila in favour of the rise of Ash'arism, which would become the mainstream Sunni theology, in the 10th century. In this the author sees an act of "intellectual suicide", the nucleus of the end of the Islamic Golden Age and the decline of Islamic civilization into a "dysfunctional culture based on a deformed theology" locked in determinism, occasionalism and ultimately fatalism.

In his review of the book, Frank Griffith describes it as "war literature", and "a Catholic refutation of Ash'arite Muslim theology", complaining that Reilly constructs an undue equation between Ash'arism and contemporary Jihadism, while most Jihadists in fact follow Salafism and are hostile towards Ash'arism.

Reviews

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I disagree with Reilly's thesis. I am in the Deneen/Hanby camp, but Reilly makes a great case for his reading of the Founding. Addition: But at the same time, as Hanby makes clear in his response Reilly's book really misses the point, answers the wrong question. Here is Hanby's devastating critique: https://newpolity.com/blog/the-birth-...

[John Rossitto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basis of the status of America

Author explores the mindset of the Founders verses the mindset of an opposite philosophy which they rejected. Points out they pledged their resources lives and honor to what they were instigating. If they did not believe they had any honor, the statement would be meaningless and they fools. Well developed and well worth the read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I thought it was well organized, well written, very readable and convincing.

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon finishing this book, two things I'm sure of: I need a deeper foundation in philosophy and in the works of the Founding Fathers. I learned much, but this is pretty heavy duty stuff. The author generally does quite a good job providing background and explanations of various philosophical positions and events as he builds his case from Ockham to Locke and beyond, but for someone not steeped in the subject matter, it is a challenge. The scholarship is top-notch, though, and it certainly does provide an interesting perspective on the philosophical basis of the founding of this country that challenges the perspective of what is apparently an increasing number of contemporary commentators (from the right and the left) who either think the founding premise was fatally flawed and/or led inevitably to the situation in which our society finds itself today. Worth working through, but be prepared for a slog in certain chapters but wonderful enlightenment throughout.

[Joseph Raborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a phenomenal book on the compatibility of the American Founding with Classical and Catholic philosophy. Anyone curious to learn about the principles behind what made America the great country it is should read it. It also well delineates the philosophies undermining the work of the Founding: tribalism, Nominalism, and Voluntarism.

The work is particularly intended for Catholics who want to defend the Founding from those who say it ran counter to solid ideals of Christian government. But every American should read it. A very illuminating book.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is simply brilliant. Reilly's incredibly thorough walk through history to explain the origins and ideas the Founders relied upon is fascinating, thought provoking, and quite a bit to digest (at least for someone with minimal philosophy studies like myself). Brick by brick Reilly establishes the foundations of the natural law theory based on reason as developed in Greek philosophy, the concept of creation ex nihilio from Judaism, and the Incarnate Logos in Jesus. Exploring the fusion of these concepts, Reilly brings us to the middle ages, which gave rise to the origins of separate spheres for Church and state, and the seeds of thought that since all men are equal in dignity before God, none can rule over another without their consent. From here the author traces the parallel (or pagan resurgence) of will over reason, heralded by the Protestant reformation (although preserved in England by Robert Hooker) and the rise of totalitarianism divine right of kings. Reilly's citations interwoven throughout demonstrate how thoroughly the Founders rejected the concept of will dominating over reason, and that their reliance on natural law was the critical difference between the American Founding and the French Revolution's reign of terror.

It took me sometime to digest all this, but that's no fault of the author who makes this approachable to beginner students in philosophy (myself included). I was surprised in the final chapter, Answering the Critics, that the author spends most of his time taking apart arguments of (what I assume are) fellow conservatives. I appreciated the be respectful manner in which Reilly deals with the critics he cites though, something sorely needed in our hyper partisan environment.

I couldn't recommend this book enough to to just about anyone. Reilly concludes that the solution to the current problems is returning to the ideals of the Founders, not out of some backwards nostalgia, but because the truths America was founded on are self evident because they are the product of our reason, of natural law, and ultimately, timeless.

[Adam Sloter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb defense of the American founding. Robert Reilly’s exceptional work takes on the radical ideologies facing the modern world and rejects the notion that the American founding was and continues to be based on falsehoods. In fact, Reilly strongly suggest that the wisdom of the founding is the solution to the rampant moral relativism, radical individualism and godless ideologies that attack the very core of this great nation. Using philosophical and theological arguments that developed throughout history, Reilly gives the reader a broad understanding of the founding’s foundations and the principles that we all must continue to advocate for.

Reilly’s attack on moral relativism, radical ideologies, and the godless pathologies plaguing the left should urge us to look to the wisdom of the founding fathers and instead of rejecting the principles these men upheld, we should instead embrace them whole heartedly and advocate for their immediate revival. A must read.

Some great quotes:

“Politics cannot meet the demands of the human soul, for it cannot achieve perfect justice. The founders realized that one must look beyond politics for the spiritual fulfillment for which man hungers.”

“Constitutional, democratic government is unthinkable without the presupposition of God as the source of rights, but also because, without him, there is not basis for the restraint that is the essence of such government.”

“The founding principle ‘that all men are created equal’ arose, and could have arisen only, in a culture throroughly saturated with the teaching of the imago Dei.”

[Charles Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was not going to give it 5 through the first half, but the last half, especially his last few chapters where the author brings all his arguments and facts together in a refutation of the conservative/Catholic criticisms of the Founders is powerful and a compelling reason to read the book itself. Understanding the Natural Law origins of the Founding is so important to all of us in our current incoherent condition about our civil and political society that this volume should be required reading for anyone desiring to more fully understand the nature of our Founding, its core principles and the way to recapture our moral center. While I can find disagreement with several of the author’s positions on personal freedoms and liberty such as LGBTQ rights, the overall thesis is correct and captures the essence of the Founders thinking about the documents they were writing and the nation they were constructing. An important addendum to this book would be an examination of the Trump years culminating in 1/6/21 and the Big Lie as another in the myriad of ways that this nation has lost its bearings along the entire political continuum.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, I was persuaded by Deneen and Hanby… until I read this great rebuttal by Robert R. Reilly. Reilly slowly builds his defense, with many relevant sources, and presents clear and convincing evidence - or reasonable doubt for the Deneen/Hanby prosecution. My being a member of the jury, vote to acquit. The preponderance of evidence is on Reilly’s side. Ultimately, both sides agree with what is wrong, the disagreement lies entirely with who/what is responsible. However, where that responsibility lies has implications for any kind of a solution.

Anyway, this is a really good contribution to the debate and should be of interest to anyone that is a student of American history, the founding, and/or our current cultural debates.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two hands (faith and reason) one sword. Middle Ages kept faith in the realm of the Church and power with politics.

Reformation undercut free will and Natural Law. All power, both faith and law, fell to political rulers.

America founded on Natural Law

Hooker: reason is man?s participation in the Divine Logos. (p 163)
Unless man can apprehend the difference between good and evil, free will makes little sense. (p 164)


In our current age, we worship democracy and political power like the Divine Right of Kings and ignore Natural Law.


?Logos wins in the end. ?

[Marilynn Spiegel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful history book. It should be required reading in high school and/or university.
We are a nation bombarded with misleading opinions, anti-christian perspective and our young people need to be equipped with the truth on the principles that led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence. It is a difficult but worthwhile read and hopefully, people will persevere through the timetable of history, learn where we went astray and rather than destroy or cancel our culture, we would strengthen the ideas that we were founded on and seek to improve, build and grow.

[Stephen]

Reilly successfully examines the connection between ancient and medieval religion and philosophy and both constitutionalism in general and the US Constitution in particular. I think his claims vis-a-vis Catholic orthodoxy and democracy are overstated while he underestimates the contribution of Greek and Jewish thought preserved in Spain, North Africa and the Middle East by Islamic scholars. At any rate, he's right to trace the real beginning of our modern, liberal attitudes towards self-government to the 11th and 12th Centuries when all of these ideas came together in Western Europe.

[Evan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating exploration of the natural law roots that provided the foundation for the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Reilly does a masterful job tracing the book philosophical ideas, and his quotations of primary sources throughout are alone worth twice the price of this book. HIGHLY recommended.

[Jana Dykstra]

Abandoned. I’m sure this is a good book but I’m either. It smart enough to understand it or not motivated enough to try to understand it. It is very academic and i feel a thorough knowledge and understanding of history is a prerequisite for reading this... and i don’t have it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not know of anyone who is writing in defense of the American founding against Patrick Deneen and Michael Hanby’s view. This is a must read book, based on in-depth understanding of the founders, their education and how they viewed the world.

[David Conner]

Very thought provoking book. Heavy read. Felt like a college textbook. Interesting view enlightening our Constitution. Glad I struggle through it.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty heavy philosophical read but well worth the time to read.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

deeply thought-provoking

[Beaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense read. Author shows many personal biases on rewriting facts to fit his thesis.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my partially-read list— I got to page 128 (a third of the way through).

Reilly’s books are always very well-researched (I’ve also read his book on marriage, which introduced me to the concept of teleology), and this book is no exception. The history primer, particularly highlighting the contrast between the politics of the medieval period and both the naturalistic religion of the pagan world which came before and the Protestant “Divine Right” world which came after was informative.

However, as his critics have noted, he may get too excited to equate Catholic medieval principles with American political principles. As much as I wanted to be convinced by this thesis, his arguments often feel like a stretch. He also seems to ignore the people/national aspect of countries, a huge oversight.