Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode of BRI Scholar Talks, William Reddinger joins host Tony Williams to discuss the founding principles and civic virtues necessary for human flourishing in a free society. Drawing from his book Political Thinkers of Our Time, Reddinger explores the Anglo-American political tradition and the ideas that shaped constitutional government, individual liberty, religious freedom, and republican self-government.
This conversation examines the political thought of figures including Edmund Burke, Alexis de Tocqueville, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Friedrich Hayek. Reddinger and Williams discuss ordered liberty, equality under the law, constitutionalism, religious liberty, free markets, and the role civic virtue plays in preserving a free society. From Burke’s “little platoons” to Lincoln’s defense of republican self-government, the interview explores how these ideas continue to shape American political life today.
00:00 Introduction: Founding Principles and Civic Virtues
01:40 The Anglo-American Political Tradition Explained
05:30 Edmund Burke on Tradition, Civil Society, and Ordered Liberty
10:52 Tocqueville on Equality and Democracy in America
13:30 Abraham Lincoln and Republican Self-Government
16:56 The Federalist Papers and American Constitutionalism
20:16 George Washington and Religious Liberty
23:58 Hayek, Free Markets, and Human Flourishing
30:14 Founding Principles, Civic Virtues, and a Free Society
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About the Bill of Rights Institute:
Established in September 1999, the Bill of Rights Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that works to engage, educate, and empower individuals with a passion for the freedom and opportunity that exist in a free society. The Institute develops educational resources and programs for a network of more than 50,000 educators and 70,000 students nationwide.
Official Site: billofrightsinstitute.org
Facebook: / billofrightsinstitute
Twitter: / brinstitute
Instagram: / brinstitute
BRI Educator Newsletter Sign Up Page: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/new...
In this episode of BRI Scholar Talks, William Reddinger joins host Tony Williams to discuss the founding principles and civic virtues necessary for human flourishing in a free society. Drawing from his book Political Thinkers of Our Time, Reddinger explores the Anglo-American political tradition and the ideas that shaped constitutional government, individual liberty, religious freedom, and republican self-government.
This conversation examines the political thought of figures including Edmund Burke, Alexis de Tocqueville, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Friedrich Hayek. Reddinger and Williams discuss ordered liberty, equality under the law, constitutionalism, religious liberty, free markets, and the role civic virtue plays in preserving a free society. From Burke’s “little platoons” to Lincoln’s defense of republican self-government, the interview explores how these ideas continue to shape American political life today.
00:00 Introduction: Founding Principles and Civic Virtues
01:40 The Anglo-American Political Tradition Explained
05:30 Edmund Burke on Tradition, Civil Society, and Ordered Liberty
10:52 Tocqueville on Equality and Democracy in America
13:30 Abraham Lincoln and Republican Self-Government
16:56 The Federalist Papers and American Constitutionalism
20:16 George Washington and Religious Liberty
23:58 Hayek, Free Markets, and Human Flourishing
30:14 Founding Principles, Civic Virtues, and a Free Society
----
About the Bill of Rights Institute:
Established in September 1999, the Bill of Rights Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that works to engage, educate, and empower individuals with a passion for the freedom and opportunity that exist in a free society. The Institute develops educational resources and programs for a network of more than 50,000 educators and 70,000 students nationwide.
Official Site: billofrightsinstitute.org
Facebook: / billofrightsinstitute
Twitter: / brinstitute
Instagram: / brinstitute
BRI Educator Newsletter Sign Up Page: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/new...
