My co-authors Mike Allen, Dave Dougherty and I take a different approach in "Patriot's History of the Modern World," coming out this November. American "exceptionalism" rests on four fundamentals:
1) common law; 2) Christian, mostly Protestant religion; 3) property rights (including land ownership); 4) a free market.
Even many of the western states that Ferguson cites in his book really no longer rely on common law. Virtually all of the world is now based on civil law---a terrifically important difference.
Wow ! Looking forward to your new book. I use some of your previous works to guide my kids through their studies. Great tools. Keep ‘em coming.
Please be sure to let us know when your new book comes out.
Thanks for the heads-up on the book.
I don’t always agree with Ferguson but always have to admire the eloquence of his presentation and the mental models he uses to stimulate critical thinking. An example from this talk being the illustration of differences in the ability to own property - even between North and South America. I wouldn’t have thought of that before, but now the importance seems clear. I will be interested to see how you treat the same topic, especially with regard to common law, (which I think Ferguson would agree with as the basis for property rights).
Looks like I have TWO good reads ahead!
All of these attributes are under siege from the progressive movement.