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The 5000 Year Leap
by W. Cleon Skousen
History
Americas
United States
Ancient Civilizations
Law
Rules & Procedures
Civil Procedure
Reference
Politics & Social Sciences
Politics & Government
Political Science
Specific Topics
Self Service
Custom Stores
Report Poor Quality
Table of Contents
Top
Summary
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 0: Foreword
Chapter 1: Part I: The Founders' Monumental Task: Structuring a Government with All Power in the People
Chapter 2: First Principle: The only reliable basis for sound government and just human relations is Natural Law
Chapter 3: Second Principle: A free people cannot survive under a republican constitution unless they remain virtuous and morally strong
Chapter 4: Third Principle: The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is to elect virtuous leaders
Chapter 5: Fourth Principle: Without religion the government of a free people cannot be maintained
Chapter 6: Sixth Principle: All men are created equal
Chapter 7: Seventh Principle: The proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal things
Chapter 8: Eighth Principle: Men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.
Chapter 9: Ninth Principle: To protect man's rights, God has revealed certain principles of divine law.
Chapter 10: Tenth Principle: The God-given right to govern is vested in the sovereign authority of the whole people.
Chapter 11: Eleventh Principle: The majority of the people may alter or abolish a government which has become tyrannical.
Chapter 12: Twelfth Principle: The United States of America shall be a republic.
Chapter 13: Thirteenth Principle: A constitution should be structured to permanently protect the people from the human frailties of their rulers.
Chapter 14: Fourteenth Principle: Life and liberty are secure only so long as the right to property is secure.
Chapter 15: Fifteenth Principle: The highest level of prosperity occurs when there is a free-market economy and a minimum of government regulations.
Chapter 16: Sixteenth Principle: The government should be separated into three branches -- legislative, executive, and judicial.
Chapter 17: Seventeenth Principle: A system of checks and balances should be adopted to prevent the abuse of power.
Chapter 18: Eighteenth Principle: The unalienable rights of the people are most likely to be preserved if the principles of government are set forth in a written constitution.
Chapter 19: Nineteenth Principle: Only limited and carefully defined powers should be delegated to government, all others being retained in the people.
Chapter 20: Twentieth Principle: Efficiency and dispatch require government to operate according to the will of the majority, but constitutional provisions must be made to protect the rights of the minority.
Chapter 21: Twenty-First Principle: Strong local self-government is the keystone to preserving human freedom.
Chapter 22: Twenty-Second Principle: A free people should be governed by law and not by the whims of men.
Chapter 23: Twenty-Third Principle: A free society cannot survive as a republic without a broad program of general education.
Chapter 24: Twenty-Fourth Principle: A free people will not survive unless they stay strong.
Chapter 25: Twenty-Fifth Principle: "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations -- entangling alliances with none."
Chapter 26: Twenty-Sixth Principle: The core unit which determines the strength of any society is the family; therefore, the government should foster and protect its integrity.
Chapter 27: Twenty-Seventh Principle: The burden of debt is as destructive to freedom as subjugation by conquest.
Chapter 28: Twenty-Eighth Principle: The United States has a manifest destiny to be an example and a blessing to the entire human race.
Chapter 29: Appendix A: The Mystery of the Anglo-Saxons
Chapter 30: Appendix B: The Secret to America's Strength
Chapter 31: Appendix C
Key Takeaways
Jamestown's success was due to implementing free enterprise principles such as private land ownership.
Natural Law is the foundation of a just society.
Public Virtue is essential for a free society.
Virtuous leaders are essential for good government.
Religion is essential for morality and good government.
All men are created equal and should have equal rights and treatment.
The government's role is to protect equal rights, not provide equal things.
A strong national defense is essential for peace and security.
Fiscal responsibility and avoiding excessive debt are crucial for maintaining freedom.
America has a manifest destiny to be an example of freedom and prosperity to the world.
Questions
What is the 5,000-year leap, and what are its 28 core principles?
What crucial lesson can be learned from Jamestown's initial failures and eventual success?
Why is the American Constitution so unique and important in the history of self-government?
Why was 'public virtue' so crucial to the Founding Fathers' vision of a self-governing nation?
How did the Founding Fathers' system of 'checks and balances' ensure a balance of power and prevent tyranny?
Why are property rights so essential to individual liberty and a thriving society?
What did the Founding Fathers believe was the proper role of government in fostering prosperity and individual liberty?
How did Adam Smith's ideas shape the Founding Fathers' approach to economics and contribute to America's economic success?
Why did the Founding Fathers consider the burden of debt so dangerous to freedom?
What is America's 'manifest destiny,' and how did this belief shape the nation's identity and purpose?
Summary
Chapter Summaries
Key Takeaways
Questions