The Federalist: Why the Articles of Confederation Failed

The Federalist: Why the Articles of Confederation Failed

Author: Hillsdale College July 30, 2025 Duration: 29:30

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the role that the House of Representative plays in our republic before introducing Dr. Ronald J. Pestritto.

In a republic, every citizen has a duty to understand their government. The Federalist is the greatest exposition of representative government and the institutional structure of the Constitution. It explains how the Constitution established a government strong enough to secure the rights of citizens and safe enough to wield that power. This course will examine how Publius understood human nature and good government, and why he argued that the only true safeguard of liberty lies in the vigilance of the American people.

The House of Representatives provides direct accountability to the people in the legislature.

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The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast delivers the core of a classical liberal arts education directly to your preferred listening app. Hosted by Online Learning Directors Kyle Murnen and Juan Davalos, this series transforms the college's foundational mission into an accessible audio format. Each episode serves as a lecture or discussion drawn from Hillsdale's complete, free online courses, covering enduring topics in history, government, culture, and the principles of a free society. You'll hear in-depth explorations of the ideas, events, and figures that have shaped Western civilization and American institutions, all presented with the clarity and depth of a classroom setting. The podcast is designed for lifelong learners seeking substantive content beyond the headlines, offering structured education through the convenience of an audio feed. Listen for thoughtful commentary that introduces each course's themes, followed by the full lecture material, allowing you to engage with rigorous academic content on your own schedule. This is more than a series of talks; it's a curated curriculum aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the philosophical and historical foundations necessary for informed citizenship and personal enrichment.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Constitution 101: Majority Tyranny and the Necessity of the Union [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:28
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss how The Federalist influenced the Constitutional Convention before introducing Ronald J. Pestritto. The United States Constitutio…
Constitution 101: Natural Rights and the American Revolution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:07
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss how the concept of natural rights informed the American Founding before introducing Thomas G. West. The United States Constitutio…
Constitution 101: The Theory of the Declaration and the Constitution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:20
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan introduce the course "Constitution 101". The United States Constitution was designed to secure the natural rights proclaimed in the Decla…
C.S. Lewis on Christianity: Heaven and Hell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss C.S. Lewis' explanation of hell before introducing Michael Ward. C.S. Lewis’s writings bring the great questions of the Christian…
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On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss C.S. Lewis' understanding of prayer before introducing Michael Ward. C.S. Lewis’s writings bring the great questions of the Chris…
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On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the film Shadowlands before introducing Michael Ward. C.S. Lewis’s writings bring the great questions of the Christian faith to l…
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On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss how we often reach our lowest point before understanding our need for God before introducing Michael Ward. C.S. Lewis’s writings…
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On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan introduce the course "C.S. Lewis on Christianity". C.S. Lewis’s writings bring the great questions of the Christian faith to life. Throug…