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Modern politics tends to assume that self-interest and the common good pull in opposite directions. Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas disagreed. For them, the real question was never whether individual and communal flourishing could coexist, but how — and how much a political community could realistically expect of citizens shaped by both reason and sin. Aristotle finds harmony between self and society through virtue; Augustine finds only restraint; Aquinas finds a fragile sy

Since antiquity, political theorists have wrestled with what separates a good leader from a bad one. Plato, Polybius, and Aquinas approach the question from three different angles — the philosophical, the constitutional, and the moral — yet arrive at a shared conclusion: political authority is legitimate only when it serves something greater than the ruler's own ambition. Read together, their arguments form a timeless standard against which any leader, in any era, can be meas

In 2022, only 6% of full-time faculty at U.S. colleges were Black, and just 5% were Hispanic. Despite decades of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, higher education is increasingly under attack by state legislatures across the country for supporting cultural centers and programs that serve marginalized student populations. From biased admissions practices to the lack of representation in classrooms and administrative leadership, many argue that DEI efforts ar

Research paper sample. This paper was a final paper for an upper-division political science class.

During every election season, all I hear about is the black vote. It’s always how black women will show out for democratic candidates. Or, it’s the infamous soul food plate tactic, when candidates go to different soul food restaurants, buy a plate, and attempt to connect more with black people and win over their vote. But, how do candidates and politicians actually target, or dismiss, black communities? Let’s start off by saying this: it is well known that black women come

In recent months, we’ve been hearing buzz in the news about the trial of Tory Lanez, which centered around his alleged violent attack on Megan Thee Stallion, and the Harry & Meghan documentary series on Netflix, which highlighted the elite couple’s love story and exit from British royal life. Each event was heavily covered on social media. From blogs to news sites, everyone seemed to be giving their opinion on whether they thought Tory Lanez should be found guilty or if they

Photo/George Walker IV/The Associated Press / Tennessee State Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood Tennessee State Representative Gino Bulso. Some call him one of the most infamous representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly. The Republican out of the wealthy Nashville suburb of Brentwood has made more enemies than allies. With many Tennesseans who are staunchly opposed to Representative Bulso, why is it? From attacking pride flags to somewhat controversial town halls, he is n