DIA-Today: Democracy in America Today

We conclude season three by reflecting on the influence of music in shaping the soul and the city from the very end of Aristotle’s Politics.   Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the challenges of finding peace in a fallen world in light of the school shooting in southwest Texas and the conclusion of the school year. Required Reading (3:50) - We reflect on the final chapters of Book VIII of Aristotle’s Politics, considering the influence of music on our lives and the regime.  Link: Aristotle, The Politics. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (26:37) - We review last week’s picks for the PGA Championship and predict the winner of the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid. Links: FiveThirtyEight soccer rankings, FiveThirtyEight Champions League Final Projection.             Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss Aristotle’s account of the relationship between education and the regime and the state of public and private education today.  Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss end-of-the-year traditions at Geneva and Matt’s old school in New Hampshire. Required Reading (4:30) - We consider the opening chapters of Book VIII of Aristotle’s Politics and the way that education influences the character of a people and their regime. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (24:20) - We check in on our NBA and NHL playoff favorites and make our picks for the PGA Championship.            Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We continue our discussion of the conditions necessary for Aristotle’s best regime, reflecting on his account of the public consequences of family life. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the graduation ceremony at King’s, the arrival of spring in New York, and Geneva senior theses. Required Reading (3:59) - We reflect on chapters 16 and 17 of Book VII of Aristotle’s Politics, where Aristotle discusses the public interest in marriage, family, and education, and we apply his principles concerning abortion to our contemporary debate. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Gradebook (25:21) - We grade three ways to spend a beautiful spring day with the family.            Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We continue our discussion of the conditions necessary for Aristotle’s best regime, reflecting on the inculcation of virtue and the means and ends of the American regime. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss graduation week at King’s and the possibility of Roe v. Wade finally being overturned by the Supreme Court. Required Reading (5:28) - We reflect on chapters 13-15 of Book VII of Aristotle’s Politics, where Aristotle discusses the means and ends of political happiness and apply his lessons to the American regime. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (27:58) - We review how our picks for the NBA finals are doing, the success of our NFL draft projections, and make our predictions for the NHL playoffs.           Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We continue our discussion of the conditions necessary for Aristotle’s best regime with special focus on a robust public life. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the virtues of Administrative Assistants on their Hallmark Holiday. Required Reading (1:43) - We reflect on chapters 8-12 of Book VII of Aristotle’s Politics, where Aristotle discusses the key elements of the happy city. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Gradebook (25:19) - We grade some key elements of the typical graduation ceremony and discuss our ideal ceremony.          Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss the population and geographic circumstances that lead to the best regime and the remarkable blessings enjoyed by the United States.  Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss our Easter weekends, the last weeks of the school year, and the end of the public transportation mask mandate. Required Reading (3:18) - We reflect on chapters 5-7 of Book VII of Aristotle’s Politics, where Aristotle discusses the people and geographic circumstances that make up the best regime and apply the lessons to the United States. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (25:19) - We make our projections for the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft, the landing places of quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis, and the position of the Patriots’ first round pick.          Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss Aristotle’s account of happiness for the individual and the nation and the fundamental debate over the nature of the best life in the light of Christ’s death and resurrection.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the Easter season and the first week of the baseball season.     Required Reading (3:16) - We reflect on the open chapters of Book VII of Aristotle’s Politics, where Aristotle discusses the connection between individual and national happiness and the most choiceworthy way of life. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (35:19) - With the NBA playoffs about to begin, we discuss the merits of our preseason basketball picks and our expectations for the playoffs.         Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss Aristotle’s account of the best and worst oligarchies and the progressive development of the American national government.   Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We discuss the start of the baseball season and another round of terrible NCAA tournament picks.     Required Reading (4:15) - We reflect on Book VI, chapter 6-8 of The Politics, where Aristotle discusses the best and worst forms of oligarchy and the essential offices of government. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (20:38) - We make our preseason baseball picks (AL champion, NL champion, World Series champion, and the total wins for the Braves and Red Sox) and discuss our upcoming fantasy baseball draft.         Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss the four kinds of democracy and the importance of understanding the nature of one’s own regime to be an excellent citizen or statesman.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss the coming of April and our disastrous NCAA tournament picks.     Required Reading (2:45) - We reflect on the four types of democracy Aristotle describes in chapter 4 of Book VI of The Politics and the need he discusses in the following chapter to understand one’s own regime in order to improve it. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (24:41) - We make our picks for the concluding games of the NCAA tournament.        Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We reflect on how different institutional structures, laws, and economic ways of life affect the character of a regime.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We discuss Dave’s family vacation in Florida among the college student Spring Breakers.        Required Reading (2:36) - We discuss the first three chapters of Book VI of Aristotle’s Politics, where Aristotle writes about how the shape of the laws affects the character of a regime. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (22:57) - We make our Final Four and national title picks for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and project when Mike Krzyzewski will coach his final game.       Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We reflect on Aristotle’s critique of Plato’s account of regime change and the possibility of political reform in a fallen world.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We discuss the successes of Geneva’s girls winter sports teams, Matt’s modest Spring Break plans, and the renewed hope for a full baseball season.         Required Reading (3:50) - We discuss the end of Book V of Aristotle’s Politics, where he critiques Plato’s account of regime change, and the possibilities for political reform in a fallen world. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Gradebook (22:14) - We grade the two big quarterback moves this week, with Aaron Rodgers returning to the Packers and Russell Wilson moving from the Seahawks to the Broncos. With NFL free agency starting next week, we also reviewed the results of the Patriots’ 2021 free agency spending spree. Links: Rodgers signing, Russell Wilson trade, Patriots free agent signings, Patriots snap counts.        Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We apply Aristotle’s discussion of kings and tyrants to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the leaders of the two sides.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We talk about the cancellation of the first week of baseball season and Matt’s decision criteria for choosing a good graduate school.         Required Reading (4:07) - We discuss the means of preserving monarchies and tyrannies outlined by Aristotle in Book V, chapters 10-11 of The Politics and apply them to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the political leaders on both sides. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Gradebook (20:21) - We review the key themes of President Biden’s State of the Union Address and assess its likelihood of improving the Democrats’ prospects in the 2022 midterm elections. Link: Biden SOTU, Dan McLaughlin at National Review.       Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss Aristotle’s account of regime preservation, with a focus on education and the key qualities of statesmen.   Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We reflect on our Super Bowl picks and talk about Dave accidentally calling Matt from a Geneva girls basketball game.        Required Reading (3:29) - We discuss the means of preserving regimes outlined by Aristotle in Book V, chapter 8 of The Politics and apply them to American politics then look at his chapter 9 reflections on orienting education and statesmanship toward regime preservation. Links: Aristotle, The Politics; Land of Hope. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (26:37) - We predict what President Biden will say about Russia-Ukraine, inflation, and democracy during his upcoming State of the Union Address. Link: RealClearPolitics approval ratings.       Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss Aristotle’s account of revolution in democracies, oligarchies, and aristocracies.   Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We talk about the transition from football season to baseball season and Geneva’s upcoming Daddy-Daughter dance.         Required Reading (3:20) - We begin with reflections on the role of the demagogue in revolutions and new opportunities for demagoguery in our day. We also discuss how revolutions arise in good governments and the revolutionary and counterrevolutionary tendencies in contemporary politics. Links: Aristotle, The Politics; GoFundMe investigations.  Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (31:54) - With both of us one Rams win away from being correct with our preseason MLB and NFL champion projections, we make our picks for the Super Bowl.      Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss Aristotle’s account of the causes of revolution and the contempt of contemporary elites for those they govern. Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We talk cold and Covid in New York, Tom Brady’s retirement, and the NFL playoffs.         Required Reading (5:00) - We look at Aristotle’s account of the origins of revolutions, particularly the contests among groups over equality and inequality and then consider the causes for revolution at work in our politics, particularly the apparent contempt of political leaders for the people they govern. Links: Aristotle, The Politics; Justin Trudeau on truckers; Gavin Newsom story. Gradebook (27:46) - We grade three of Tom Brady’s most historic seasons and the new name for Washington’s NFL team, the Commanders. Links: Tom Brady stats.     Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss the introduction to Aristotle’s account of revolution in Book V of The Politics and consider its implications for the 2024 presidential race.      Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We talk about the disappointing end to the Patriots’ and back-to-school at Geneva and King’s.        Required Reading (3:37) - We consider the mistaken notions of justice found in democratic and oligarchy regimes and the ways that these have shown up in American history and contemporary politics. We also discuss the reticence of those who are most virtuous to be revolutionaries and enter the American political square. Links: Aristotle, The Politics; Dick Morris on a Trump-Hillary rematch. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (25:32) - We review our NFL Wild Card round picks and make our predictions for the four games in the Divisional Round. .     Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We reflect on President Biden’s voting rights speech and vaccine mandate in light Aristotle’s teaching on the functions of legislative, executive, and judicial offices.     Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:52) - We talk about our Christmas breaks, Omicron, and Dave’s state-of-the-school address.       Required Reading (5:18) - We conclude our discussion of Book IV of The Politics with Aristotle’s reflections on the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government, applying them to President Biden’s Atlanta speech on voting rights and the debate over the constitutionality of the federal vaccine mandate. Links: Aristotle, The Politics; President Biden’s speech; The Supreme Court and the vaccine mandate; The Job Safety Law of 1970; Corbin and Swanson on Aristotle’s Politics. Tocqueville’s Crystal Ball (29:04) - We review the good, the bad, and ugly of our preseason NFL picks and make our predictions for the Wild Card round of the playoffs.     Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss Aristotle’s account of the best regime for most places, a mixed regime balancing the excellencies of oligarchy and democracy.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We look forward to Christmas break and talk about the new Corbin dog, Tex, and his relations with Tenny, the original Corbin dog.       Required Reading (4:15) - We discuss Aristotle’s account of aristocracy and polity in the second half of Book IV of The Politics in search of the best regime for most places. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Gradebook (26:04) - We grade four possible choices for a new family pet this Christmas season.    Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss Aristotle’s reflections on the best and worst sorts of democracy and oligarchy.    Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:54) - We discuss the Patriots’ big Monday night win over the Bills, the prospects for a Patriots-Bucs Super Bowl, and conspiracy theories around Bill Belichick’s pregame Navy facemask.      Required Reading (4:06) - We discuss Aristotle’s account of the different types of democracy and oligarchy in Book IV of The Politics and the role that statesmanship, property, and the rule of law play in moderating regimes. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Crystal Ball (25:17) - We make our picks for the Army-Navy game, discuss the new Corbin rules for deciding the winner of the Command-in-Chief Trophy, and then project the winners in the College Football playoffs.   Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.

We discuss how hyperpartisanship threatens the stability of a republic and the temptation for Christians to emphasize political attachments over their commitment to Christ.   Matt Parks and David Corbin explore the ideas behind today's headlines. Opening and closing music from the beginning and end of “2020 Vision (Worse than Blind)” by Fred Lancia. Used with permission. Opening (0:53) - We discuss our day-before-Thanksgiving challenges on the roads and at the dentist’s office.     Required Reading (2:40) - We discuss the complexity of political analysis in a world of great economic and ideological variety and the danger of hyperpartisan political passions for Christians especially in light of Aristotle’s analysis of regimes in Book IV, chapter 3 of his Politics. Links: Aristotle, The Politics. Gradebook (25:13) - We grade four trophies awarded to the winners of college football rivalry games. Links: Egg Bowl; Iron Bowl; Minnesota-Wisconsin.  Email: DemocracyinAmericaToday@gmail.com Matt Parks is the Interim Provost and an Associate Professor of Politics at The King’s College in New York City. David Corbin is Head of School at the Geneva School of Boerne, Texas. All views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker.