Sublime

As it became clear to French observers that most indigenous Americans saw individual autonomy and freedom of action as consummate values

David Stasavage calls “early democracy,” resembling the councils and assemblies of hereditary chiefdoms.

Zilia wondering why the French king, despite levying all sorts of heavy taxes, cannot simply redistribute the wealth in the same manner as the Sapa Inca.

Svatantra is absolute freedom. Before we get too far, I want to clarify that svatantra doesn’t refer to how we may ordinarily think of freedom as nonconformity or rebellion against oppression or certain ways of thinking. Svatantra is much more fundamental—it is freedom from the sense of being a limited individual.

Aqui, a igualdade é extensão direta da liberdade; na verdade, é sua expressão.

Any student of agrarian societies knows that people inclined to expand agriculture sustainably, without privatizing land or surrendering its management to a class of overseers, have always found ways to do so.

Sargon’s reign, over four thousand years ago, set the archetype of ‘king as father.’ He had himself portrayed as paternalism embodied, the Great Man, an ideal leader who stood above his people and knew what was best for them. In order to do so, Sargon also invented patronage as a business model for the arts, recognising the capacity of culture to e