Marcuzzo, KSS, Pestritto and the progressive era

Summary

In this video, the speaker clarifies misunderstandings about Pasto's views on the administrative state and the Progressive Era. Pasto aligns with the founding principles of limited government and separation of powers, arguing against the Progressive belief that human nature has evolved, justifying an efficient administrative state. He critiques the idea of an unelected and autonomous bureaucracy holding executive, legislative, and judicial powers, exemplified by the FTC's arbitrary decisions in the CT Chenery Corporation case. Ultimately, Pasto stresses the importance of rule of law and the separation of powers to prevent arbitrary governance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pasto disagrees with the Progressive Era's view that human nature has evolved to be less corruptible and more enlightened.
• 😀 Pasto aligns with the Founding principles of separation of powers and limited government, as expressed in the Federalist Papers.
• 😀 The Founders believed in human fallibility, which is why they designed a government with checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.
• 😀 Progressive thinkers, like Woodrow Wilson, argued that human nature has evolved, thus justifying a more efficient, less limited government.
• 😀 Pasto critiques the concept of an administrative state that consolidates executive, legislative, and judicial power into one body.
• 😀 The administrative state, as envisioned by Progressives, places power in the hands of unelected bureaucrats, which undermines democratic accountability.
• 😀 The rule of law is crucial, and decision-making should be based on established laws and precedents, not arbitrary judgments.
• 😀 Pasto uses the example of the FTC's arbitrary decision-making to illustrate the dangers of an unchecked administrative state.
• 😀 The Progressive belief in a more efficient government conflicts with the Founders' belief in a slower, more deliberative system of government.
• 😀 Pasto argues that while human nature may change in some ways, the fundamental flaws of human behavior—self-interest and corruption—remain constant.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the video script?

The video script focuses on explaining the views of Pasto regarding the founding principles of government, the Progressive Era, and the concept of the administrative state. It contrasts these views with the perspectives of thinkers like Woodrow Wilson.

What does Pasto believe about the founding principles of government?

Pasto aligns with the founding principles of separation of powers and limited government, arguing that these principles are designed to protect individual rights and limit the potential for government overreach.

How does Pasto’s view differ from that of Progressive Era thinkers, particularly Woodrow Wilson?

Pasto disagrees with Progressive Era thinkers, especially Wilson, who believed that human nature had evolved to be less corruptible, allowing for the creation of an efficient administrative state. Pasto believes that human nature has not changed significantly and that power should remain separated to avoid abuses.

What is the significance of Federalist Papers 47 and 51 in the context of the script?

Federalist Papers 47 and 51 are used to explain the founders' rationale for a limited government with separation of powers. The founders believed that this structure was necessary to prevent tyranny and to protect individual freedoms.

Why do the founders favor separation of powers in government?

The founders favored separation of powers to prevent any one branch of government from gaining too much power, which could lead to tyranny. This structure was designed to address human nature, which they believed was corruptible and self-interested.

What is the Progressive Era’s view on human nature according to the script?

Progressive Era thinkers, including Wilson, believed that human nature had evolved over time and that people were becoming more enlightened. They argued that this progress made it possible to create a more efficient and less limited government.

What is the administrative state and why does Pasto oppose it?

The administrative state refers to a system where unelected bureaucrats within the executive branch hold substantial power, often with little accountability. Pasto opposes this because he believes it consolidates executive, legislative, and judicial powers in one unelected body, undermining the separation of powers and rule of law.

How does Pasto use the example of the FTC’s decision in the Chenery Corporation case?

Pasto uses the FTC’s decision in the Chenery Corporation case as an example of how the administrative state can make arbitrary decisions without clear legal justification. This case illustrates how the administrative state can act outside the rule of law, which is a central concern for Pasto.

What is the difference between rule of law and ad hoc decision-making?

The rule of law involves making decisions based on established laws and precedents, whereas ad hoc decision-making is based on arbitrary or situational judgments. Pasto emphasizes the importance of the rule of law to prevent government overreach.

Why does Pasto think Wilson’s view of human nature is flawed?

Pasto believes Wilson’s view of human nature is flawed because it assumes that humans have evolved past their corruptible tendencies, which he argues is not the case. He maintains that humans are still self-interested and capable of misusing power, which is why limited government and separation of powers are necessary.