Summary Of The 5000 Year Leap

“The 5000 Year Leap” is a book written by W. Cleon Skousen presenting the principles that underlie the Constitution of the United States and how it was founded. He outlines the 28 principles that he argues were fundamental to the creation and success of the system of government in America. With the title of the book, he is referring to the idea that the United States Constitution and its principles were a significant lead forward in political philosophy. There are several themes that Skousen strongly represents throughout the entire book such as natural law, limited government, the rule of law, free markets and economic freedom, and moral value and civic responsibility. There are many key takeaways from this book, however understanding founding

He then goes on to list a number of examples of things in the constitution that are based on Natural Law, unalienable rights, limited government, separation of powers, etc. In this section of the book, he illustrates how extensively the entire American Constitution is grounded in Natural Law. Natural Law holds that certain rights are inherent to human beings by the virtue of their existence, and Skousen argues that the constitution was designed to protect the rights of life, liberty, and property from government infringement. Another key theme in the book is the theme of limited government. When talking about the 19th principle, he includes a comment by Alexander Hamilton: “Power controlled or abridged is almost always the rival and enemy of that power by which it was controlled or abridged” (224). What this shows the reader is that usually when a person or entity gains power, they abuse it and end up being the enemy. He argues that the founding fathers intended for the powers of the federal government to be strictly enumerated and limited, with most authority reserved to the states and to the

He argues that the Constitution establishes a system of laws that apply equally to all citizens, including those in positions of authority. If everyone is created differently when they are born, how can all men be equal? Skousen says in his 6th principle that “They can only be treated as equals in the sight of God, in the sight of the law, and in the protection of their rights. In these three ways, all men are created equal” (103). He contends that the adherence to the rule of law is essential for maintaining a free and just society. The book promotes the idea of free markets and economic freedom as essential components of a prosperous society. Skousen argues that the principles of limited government and individual liberty are conducive to economic growth and innovation. He advocated for policies that promote free enterprise and minimal government intervention in the economy. He claims there are four laws of economic freedom “which a nation must maintain if its people are to prosper at the highest level”. These are the following: 1. The freedom to try 2. The freedom to buy