The Princeton Tory 35.4

V O L U M E

T H E

A

X X X V

- -

I S S U E

4

P R I N C E T O N

TORY

JOURNAL

OF

CONSERVATIVE

W E S T E R N

AND

MODERATE

THOUGHT

C I V I L I Z A T I O N

R E V I S I T E D

PUBLISHER'S NOTE Dear Tories,

to

as a contender for elevation to the high court. Barrett’s

concentrate in Classics. And I owe it all to Horace. The Latin

description of the document as a means for American

poet

cohesion is, in my view, a part of a long tradition of

In

is

the

summer

perhaps

best

of

2017,

known

for

I

made

his

the

coinage

decision

of

that

oh-so

popular exhortation: carpe diem. However, in reading him in

thinkers attempting to secure and ensure liberty.

As could have been anticipated, Princeton’s collective

the original, he did for me what Shakespeare has done for many

of

my

peers.

He

captured

the

truth

about

human

consciousness has once again been arrested by freedom

experience in a way I had never encountered before and he

of

did so in quantitative meter, with form so sublime that it’s

earlier this year, finally spoke on campus, despite further

impossible

calls

not

to

stop

in

awe

and

admire

what

he

speech

concerns.

and

even

controversial

accomplished.

When I think about Western civilization, I think about

Amy

Wax,

attempts

speaker

was

to

whom

disinvite

Norman

I

reported

her.

on

Another

Finkelstein,

whose

comments led to Adam Hoffman’s polemic against him,

Horace - I think about his remarkable achievement and how it

included

can speak so seamlessly to someone living thousands of years

though there may be calls and attempts to disinvite, a

after him. However, in recent decades, Western civilization

speaker invited to Princeton will eventually speak, come

has been subjected to attack and deconstruction. Thus, this

what may.

issue is about revisiting Western civilization and assessing its

in

Finally, investigation

utility.

Since the Tory is not a literary magazine, my reflections

this

issue.

dear

into

All

Tory,

the

this

look

question

academic performers at

seems

for of

to

Liam

whether

prove

that,

O’Connor’s or

not

top

Princeton forego eating clubs.

on the topic are perhaps somewhat removed from those of my

Look also for the Anscombe team’s defense of marriage

colleagues.

against those who call its role into question. Both pieces

insistence

Jacob upon

Brown

the

starts

necessity

off

of

the

being

issue

with

empathetic

in

an our

democracy - a political system passed down from antiquity.

are sure to spark conversation!

And that, ultimately, is the goal of this publication: to

civilization,

spark conversation among our readers and also to enrich

countering those who would argue that there is an inseparable

the conversation each reader has with him- or herself.

link between the two. Considering the recent unveiling of the

Please let us know if we’ve been successful.

Tyler

Eddy

grapples

with

race

and

Western

Woodrow Wilson monument pointing out the 28th president’s successes and failures, Tyler’s piece comes at an opportune time.

That the U.S. Constitution has an important role to play in this issue should not be surprising. In The Lawsplainer, Akhil Rajasekar about

attempts

the

power

to of

articulate the

a

federal

better

way

of

government,

thinking

using

the

Sincerely,

jurisprudence of John Marshall as a lens. Just before that

Jeff Zymeri '20

piece

Publisher of The Princeton Tory

is

Bianca

Ortiz-Miskimen’s

coverage

of

an

event

featuring Amy Coney Barrett, a federal judge who is viewed

jzymeri@princeton.edu

i | The Princeton Tory | 2019

T H E

P R I N C E T O N

TORY VOLUMEÂ XXXV

01

--

ISSUE

4

A CLIMATE OF CHANGE: HOW A LACK OF EMPATHY DESTROYS DEMOCRACY FROM WITHIN Jacob Brown

03

DIVORCING WHITENESS FROM WESTERN CIVILIZATION Tyler Eddy

06

SHAPIRO PRIZE WINNERS TEND TO SNUB EATING CLUBS Liam O'Connor

08

AGAINST NORMAN FINKELSTEIN'S ANTI-SEMITISM AND HIS NORMALIZERS Adam Hoffman

10

COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT SURVEYS AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, CALLING IT THE FRAME OF THE AMERICAN STORY Bianca Ortiz-Miskimen

11

THE LAWSPLAINER: JOHN MARSHALL AND THE JURISPRUDENCE OF NECESSITY Akhil Rajasekar

14

ASK ANSCOMBE: WHAT ABOUT MARRIAGE?

ii | The Princeton Tory | 2019

PUBLISHER Jeff Zymeri '20

EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Akhil Rajasekar '21

OPINION EDITORS Joaquim Brooks '20 Max Parsons '20

ASSISTANT OPINION EDITOR Adam Hoffman '23

NEWS EDITORS Bianca Ortiz-Miskimen '22 Andrew Tufillaro '22 Elizabeth Wahlstedt '20

COPY CHIEF Robert Doar '22

COPY EDITORS Abigail Anthony '23 Nishant Kumar Singhal '23

DESIGN & CARTOON EDITOR Grace Koh '20

FINANCIAL MANAGER Will Crawford '20

EVENTS MANAGER Nick Sileo '20

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jeb Banavige '20

OPINION WRITERS Jacob Brown '20 Tyler Eddy '21

NEWS WRITER Liam O'Connor '20

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Anna Bray Duff '92 James Haynes '18 Peter Hegseth '03 Peter Heinecke '87 Ira Leeds '06 Brian Tvenstrup '95 Timothy Webster '99

iii | The Princeton Tory | 2019

HOW A LACK OF EMPATHY DESTROYS DEMOCRACY FROM WITHIN

A CLIMATE OF CHANGE: Jacob Brown

Opinion

The success of our liberal democracy

change is a serious problem that requires late October brought the climate change

requires a mutual sense of empathy betw- an urgent government response, as refle- issue een all citizens. The rights and liberties

cted

by

their

proposition

of

a

tion by others as well as a recognition nge Research poll, this group makes up

unique

way.

A

25%

of

the

for

population. Oil

and customs by all political parties, rega- is not a significant problem, and that go-

urban,

they

their

national

action

to

reduce

gas-producing

regions

express

legislature On the other hand, the deniers believe strong disapproval towards carbon taxes

functioning

whether

of

governmental

and

and

of

forefront

emissions is divided along regional lines.

requires a basic respect of national laws that climate change is not happening or

rdless

the

radical discussion. As in the United States, supp-

of every person depend upon their tolera- “Green New Deal.” According to a Cha- ort

that each person perceives the world in a approximately

to

agree

with

each

vernmental

efforts

to

reduce

other

green

coastal

initiatives.

regions

Conversely,

with

diversified

emissions economies generally express the opposite

other. Good governance requires that the will significantly hurt the economy. Ac-

sentiment.

ruling majority respect the views of the cording to the same poll, this group ma-

with federal political parties. The right-

minority, even when it is legally permiss- kes

up

between

25%

and

43%

of

These

attitudes

neatly

align

the leaning Conservative Party sides with oil

ible for a majoritarian body to inflict pun- population. Unfortunately for our demo-

and gas-producing regions, while the left-

ishment on underrepresented groups.

leaning

In

short, a “good” government, as I understand it, requires all citizens to value the common good and appreciate both why people think a certain way and how their preferred policy will affect others.

Unfortunately,

just

when

America

needs it most, this empathy is in short supply. From so-called “culture wars” to battles over economic redistribution and health care, a widespread lack of mutual understanding beliefs

has

and

had

a

respect

for

disastrous

opposing

impact

on

The rights and liberties of every person depend upon their toleration by others as well as a recognition that each person perceives the world in a unique way.

NDP

sides

with

urban,

coastal

regions. The Liberal Party has attempted to

straddle

the

middle

ground

on

this

issue. They have approved several oil and gas pipelines but have also compromised economic growth with legislation to cut emissions.

Unfortunately

for

the

Liberals,

compromise has not proved popular with the electorate. Any compromise seeking to sustain the economies of oil-producing

cracy, a supermajority of Americans have regions taken an absolutist line on this issue, lea- many

on

been

the

In

fact,

the

by

election

the

better or for worse, the federal governm- votes from the Liberals to parties advoc-

dynamic driven by this lack of empathy,

ent will have to make a decision on this ating stronger action on climate change.

one need look no further than one partic-

issue. One side will lose the policy debate By a similar token, the Liberals’ efforts

ularly

change.

and be governed by the policies of those to introduce a national carbon tax have

While it has been mostly relegated to the

with whom it profoundly disagrees. Like been met with severe disappointment in

sidelines during the tumultuous years of

it or not, this minority will have to respe- oil-producing

the Trump era, it is all but set to come

ct the majority and the democratic proc- lose all of their seats in the oil-producing

back with a vengeance in the upcoming

ess

2020 elections.

This,

to

compromise.

polarizing

To

issue:

understand

climate

The climate change debate suffers

by

which

after

all,

this is

compromise.

decision the

was

made. Prairie

cornerstone

of

significant

traitorous

rties

for

a

as

ving

room

saw

left.

seen

social trust and the ability of political pa-

little

For results

has

regions,

provinces.

defection

leading

The

them

result

of

of

to

the

a Liberal Party’s platform of compromise

pluralistic liberal democracy.

has

only

fostered

from extreme polarization because each

So who will win? To understand the polarized

side has retreated to an absolutist positi-

political dynamics of this decision, let’s inter-regional

on. The alarmists believe that climate

turn to Canada. Their general election in

1 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

years.

anger

electorate,

and

a

foreboding

animus

in

the

deeply vicious coming

How can such a dilemma be solved? with a heavy economic dependence on oil “Green New Deal” may be a winner in the Perhaps empathy and mutual understand- and gas will suffer a prolonged economic primaries, but it will not be popular among ing provide an answer. Just like the deni- slump should emissions-reducing legisla-

a very wide swath of the population.

ers, the alarmists have a strong argument tion pass. “Green New Deal” supporters

More generally, any controversial po-

on their side: they propose immediate ac-

imposed

often express their support for “transitio- licy

tion to stave off the worst effects of clim- ning” ate change. The short-term economic pain

oil

and

gas

workers

out

of

their

against

the

will

of

a

large

group of people will meet great resistance,

jobs within the next 5 to 10 years. Howe- especially if the policy promises harsh and

may be a worthy sacrifice to prevent a ver, such a view is patronizing, particula-

disruptive

consequences.

If

controversial

long-term loss in agricultural productivit- rly for those whose skills are not transfer- policies are passed, people will turn on one y, an increase in expensive natural disast- able to other industries. Many supporters ers, and rising sea levels. However, since

another with all the passion and ferocious-

of the “Green New Deal” who do not live ness

of

the greatest share of emissions are curre- or work in the energy industry proclaim Isaiah ntly produced by large industrial nations

that people who live thousands of miles

like China and India, it may be that these

away and work in an economy based on be

efforts

and

the

sacrifices

will be pursued in vain.

they

the

measures

taken

by

sacrifices

Berlin

puts

faction it,

scorned.

“there

are

As

many

different ends that men may seek and still fully

rational,

fully

men,

capable

of

Emissions are livelihoods at the government’s promise and deriving light from each other.” Only

the

that something better will come down the by taking the time to think deeply about

advanced road. It is truly shocking that it has beco-

industrialized countries, meaning that the economic

political

demand fuel extraction must simply give up their understanding each other and sympathising

projected to rise substantially regardless of

a

advocated

by

me acceptable to say this in mainstream can we design policies that are both just

the institutions, and it shows a complete lack

alarmists would all be for nought.

our shared humanity and common interests

and

popular

in

these

unsettled

times

of empathy. While this may be a result of even if it means learning to compromise

Strong arguments also exist on the naiveté, we must do better - our society and live with partial victories. other side. This argument's credibility st- hinges on empathetic and thoughtful poliems from its recognition of the economic tical discourse. Let this be a warning to costs of climate change policies. Regions

—

the candidates in the 2020 election. The

2 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

Jacob Brown is a Senior in the Electrical Engineering Department. He can be contacted at jambrown@princeton.edu.

DIVORCING WHITENESS FROM WESTERN CIVILIZATION Tyler Eddy

Opinion

When I first told my friends about the did of the brown barbarians to their east -rica and the Americas, or the death camps title of this article, I received every resp- and west. Many of them lived in what is onse imaginable. Some said it was a good

now Turkey and were almost culturally

idea, others said that it would be difficult and

physically

or controversial. But the most interesting their

indistinguishable

neighbors

in

es. Interesting because it was the same:

And

Mesopotamia,

the their

heading

one

steps

responsibility

to

give

birth

to

their

sons and daughters in order to prevent the

precisely

that racial suicide of the nation.

Moreover, while racism may be on its

is heartland of Western religious belief. The

last leg we are still plagued with chilling

awash with partisan claims of race being Judeo-Christian values that are so often

moments like Charlottesville that provide

the

American

defining

political

attribute

system

behind

either

its

directly

in

the

The

direction,

by

Just a century ago, Theodore Rooseve-

from lt gave a speech to American women on

feedback given came from the extremiti- modern day Middle-East.

this is impossible.

of Nazi Germany.

into

condemned began near the Western sho- evidence

successes or failures, despite such claims res of the Levant and spread south into

for

the

hate

that

still

exists

in

America when rallied beneath one bann-er.

originating in the margins. There are cri- Africa, east into India and China, north Just

last

week,

at

a

conference

held

by

tical race scholars that presuppose white

into the Caucuses, as well as west into Turning Point USA, the Q&A was hijack-

supremacy

Europe.

as

the

driving

force

behind

our legal system. At the same time, there values is

a

U.S.

defends

representative

the

who

demographic

The

communal

scene resulted in a feud between them and

frequently Western Civilization are derived from the

Rob Smith, a gay black conservative and

of

the same

teachings

theologians

country.

formed

as

the

bedrock

ed by a group of white nationalists. This

of

purity

that

social-religious

of

those

olive-skinned Iraq War veteran, disputing claims that he

shared

by

many

It is not beneath anyone to tell them modern-day Ethiopians and Han Chinese.

party.

be

The

a

part

weight

of

of

the

the

Republi-can

whole

conse-

Saint Augustine of Hippo, one of the rvative movement should have been behi-

that they are wrong and why. It is actually our responsibility to do so. Furthermo-

shouldn't

most

influential

fathers

in

the

Catholic nd Charlie Kirk, TPUSA's founder, when

re, it’s the unwillingness to engage with and Protestant faiths, was a North African he rebuffed them. this topic – that of tying the successes

descended from native nomadic Berbers.

and failures of a Western country to its Nearly

half

of

Augustine’s

life

How did Western history come to possess clear evidence of both plurality and

racial heritage – and each other, that pre-

experiences were that of a Manichean, a

racial

vents

religion

Scientific Revolution and the Age of Ex-

the

solution

that

most

anyone

founded

in

present-day

Iran,

stratification?

By

the

time

of

the

would agree with: whiteness shouldn’t be before finally converting to Christianity. ploration, the home of Western civilizatAugustine and other non-white philosop-

married to the West.

To begin, the philosophical, moral, hers

and

and legal foundations of the West did not saints begin

with

white

people

and,

for

by

theologians Catholic,

are

recognized

Lutheran,

ion

had

shifted

from

the

shores

of

the

as Mediterranean to the mountains and fore-

Calvinist, sts of Western Europe. It was at that point,

over Anglican and by nearly all other Western with

unprecedented

levels

of

cont-act

half have its existence, its home was out- Christian churches. They are the name- between people of different races, who had side

of

Western

Europe.

Greek

culture sakes of cities and cathedrals throughout often

was the progenitor of the Western versio- Europe ns

of

logic,

ethics,

democracy,

and

North

America.

Hardly

never

even

known

of

each

other’s

the existence, that people of all races began

and act of those concerned with the sanctity codifying themselves by skin color.

science.

These were people with brown skin

of skin color.

For only a fraction of its existence, but

Nonetheless, racial preferences did by no means a short duration, the majority

and curly hair, who thought equally little

exist. None of the history or figures men- of

of the white barbarians to their north and

tioned above are able to explain away the civilization identified themselves by their

the black barbarians to their south as they

slave ships that ran non-stop between Af-

3 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

countries

comprising

Western

race. Laws were passed and norms and

mores were formed that ensured the strict was not the first but the eleventh black

stammering as you seek to explain to

adherence to this social stratification. At man to be elected to the U.S. House of

your six-year-old daughter why she

the height of the Spanish Empire, there Representatives, along with four others.

can’t go to the public amusement park

were over a hundred racial classificatio-

that has just been advertised on

It was at the height of racial injustice

ns. in the colonial societies of West Indi-

in

es and South America.

and Douglass were making lasting contri-

her little eyes… I have longed to hear

butions

white ministers declare: ‘Follow this

But it was even at this time that mino-

America

to

minorities

Western out

of

like

civilization.

the

Smalls

That

twenty-five

television, and see the tears welling

is

rities were making some of their greatest

why

contributions to Western civilization.

Medal of Honor recipients during the Ci-

At the height of the Antebellum South

eight

that

black

decree because integration is morally right, and the Negro is your brother.’”

vil War were awarded for actions taken

in the United States, black freedman used while protecting the United States flag.

It is clear from the list of names

the words of their white and brown cultu- That is why Frederick Douglass always comprising the greats of Western culture ral forebears to lambast their light-skinn- resisted

Back-to-Africa

ed neighbors for allowing the hypocrisy movements,

eventually

and

separatist

that it is a civilization comprised of ideas

from and not of race. This list starts with tan

switching

of slavery to exist in their country. In Ro- “your country,” to “our country,” when

men who are the namesake of white men,

chester, New York, during the July heat talking of the nation that once held him in and of 1852, Frederick Douglass, while also chains. speaking of the sand swept cities Jerusalem and Babylon of the Levant said:

then

white

namesake

of

men

black

who

men:

are

the

Booker

T.

However, it is well known that was- Washington, George Washington Carver. n’t the end of racial privileges in Ameri- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a black ca.

It

took

another

century

before

any pastor named after a German priest born

“You have no right to wear out and

semblance

waste the hard-earned fame of your

between whites and non-whites in West- connection, not by race, that he wrote in

fathers to cover your indolence…

ern civilization. That was another hund- the same letter: “I would agree with St.

Standing with God and the crushed

red years of the legal codification of rac- Augustine that an unjust law is no law at

and bleeding slave on this occasion, I

ial discrimination, with Jim Crow, redli-

will … in the name of liberty which is

ning, and the failures to act by those me-

fettered, in the name of the constitut-

ant to enforce what precious rights had ideas, black men could gain freedom and

of

equality

could

be

made over five centuries prior. It is through this

all.’”

Because the West is a collection of

ion and the Bible, which are disregard- been gained by the hard-fought victories independence ed and trampled upon, dare to call in question and to denounce, with all the

of both black and white Americans.

by

using

the

very

same

words white men wrote to gain their own.

Western Civilization never began with

But again, it was the tools of Western

emphasis I can command, everything

civilization – the rigid club of logic and racism, it crept its way in. Through the

that serves to perpetuate slavery – the

the powerful swing of moral integrity – actions

great sin and shame of America.”

that finally came crashing down on Wes- black,

of

brilliant

white,

and

westerners, of

all

races

both and

tern hypocrisy. While writing about Gre- ethnicities, it has been nearly pushed out.

Douglass was far from the only one making

permanent

changes

in

ek philosophers and of Jewish theologia- Now we live in a time when the revered

Western ns and prophets traversing the sandy tre- black economist Thomas Sowell’s words

culture. Robert Smalls escaped from slav- ks between Middle-Eastern villages, Dr. certainly

carry

more

truth

than

the

ery while conscripted in the Confederate Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote to his fell- alternative: “Racism is not dead, but it is army, stealing one of their ships in the pr- ow white pastors:

on life support – kept alive by politicians,

ocess. Smalls went on to help found the

race hustlers and people who get a sense

Republican Party of South Carolina and

“Anyone who lives inside the United

of

became

States can never be considered an

‘racists.’”

an

elected

state

representative.

superiority

by

denouncing

others

as

By 1875, just ten years after the Americ-

outsider anywhere within its bounds

an Civil War and at the beginning of his

…when you suddenly find your

crimes of Western civilization at the feet

tenure as a congressman, Robert Smalls

tongue twisted and your speech

of people based on their skin without

4 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

You cannot with one breath lay the

giving strength to those who would use it to

attribute

it

to

its

success.

Most of us grew up believing that our society is vital to a better future, but

Western sharing each other’s culture was someth- the

wanton

civilization has crafted lasting good for ing valued and uniquely American. Now risks

the

bludgeoning

lives

of

the

of

our

very

culture

brown

and

the world, and it has wrought incredible our society is more saturated with cries of black people that are purportedly being suffering. But neither of this has to do cultural appropriation than shared celebr- harmed. with where the mean lay on the statistical ations in diversity. This all the while sucdistribution

of

melatonin

content

in

its cessful minorities are harassed for “act- goal

population.

ing white.”

What would it look like if we applied the

same

metrics

to

other

As mentioned from the beginning, the of

removing

any

mark

white

supremacy has on our society should be

We are now to the point where attemp- universally

held.

Nationalists

must

be

cultures? ts to shamelessly herd minority commun- explicit and repetitive in the belief that

Should we attribute Japan’s premier succ- ities along political lines meet no recour- they are defending a nation of ideals and ess

at

attaining

crushingly

doctoral

high

public

degrees

debt

to

or

its

its se, with even a sitting U.S. Congresswo- principles. Not only to stem the rise of

98% men

stating,

“we

don’t

need

anymore white nationalism but also to hamper the

ethnic homogeneity or its incredibly stri- black faces who don’t want to be black growth

of

self-conflagration

and

race

ngent immigration process? Can we thank voices.” Juxtapose this to a white Senator goading on the left.

Botswana’s

systemic

discrimination

for who

makes

claims

of

“environmental

As for the left, its rush to destroy the

being the least corrupt and most democra- racism, economic racism, criminal justice ground tic country in Africa or for having one of racism, the fastest growing GDP’s in the world?

and

health

care

racism,”

West

yet

permeate

our

on

does

nothing

to

apologizing to the Native American com- proclaim.

osterous when used on countries outside ed heritage for political gain. the

stands

after promote the worldly agenda it seeks to

These kinds of arguments seem prep- munity for making false claims of a shar-

of

it

political

Americans

have

a

Globalization isn’t wiping Western history

responsibility

from

to recognizing

the the

face merits

of

the

of

earth,

each

it’s

society

discourse. This can only exist in a society actively put a stop on this headlong rush and contributing them to one another. Its where white Democrats see racial discri- towards a racial conflict, if not for them- apparent mination as more of a problem than actu- selves then for the rest of the world.

This ruthless and unscrupulous attack limited

With a growing number of white suprem- on

the

of

our

own

reached

reckless

factionalism when we attack the already

al minorities, including black Democrats.

foundations

we’ve

charity

to

the

poverty

stricken,

society non-white regions of the world outside of

acists, we are increasingly becoming cau- does not only fail to recognize, but activ- the U.S. ght between righteous masochism and de- ely harms the contributions the West malusional self-aggrandizement.

kes to the rest of the world, especially ize that much of what constitutes Western

Western nations are consistently rated those in need. among

the

economic

top

forty

equality.

when

What

At a certain point, we need to recogn-

it

comes

does

it

to

It

was

scholarship Western

society

that

and

civilization

was

crafted

put for the many and not just for the few. A

mean together the United Nations, created and black pastor writes from a Southern jail.

when the majority of its inhabitants perc- continues

to

actively

promote

universal His parents named him after a white Ger-

eive racial relations to be one of the most human rights, while funding and manning man. He quotes the words of a brownserious

issues?

While

Western

politics nearly the entirety of the worlds NGOs skinned nomad turned saint who lived on

becomes crippled by accusations of syst- and charities. While these agencies prov- the emic racism and white privilege, it conti- ide

resources

for

97.9

million

–

shores

of

the

Mediterranean,

while

72% speaking fondly of the sand-swept walls

nues to prove itself to be the most toler- percent of the world in need of humanita- of Middle-Eastern cities. At some point ant when it comes to views on race. What rian assistance – Western scholars write you have to give it up. It’s not about race. does this mean for the state of rest of the papers condemning their actions as white world?

supremacy and colonization that are pub-

The only thing that seems to be easily lished in academic journals. agreed upon is the visible effects of this rhetoric on our society.

This is more than just an Orwellian joke. Careful and precise refinement of

5 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

Tyler Eddy is a Junior in the Astrophysical Sciences Department. He can be contacted at tjeddy@princeton.edu.

SHAPIRO PRIZE WINNERS SNUB EATING CLUBS News

Liam O'Connor

Almost 60 percent of Shapiro Prize recipients from the Classes of 2019 and 2020 weren’t members of an eating club, a Tory investigation can reveal. Only 41 percent “The

of

upperclassmen

Street.”

Winners

overall

are

40

forgo

Winners are 40 percent more likely than their peers to be on an independent meal plan.

percent

more likely than their peers to be on an independent meal plan.

The

Shapiro

Prize

for

Academic

Excellence recognizes the top 3 percent of each class for “outstanding academic achievement” sophomore

in

the

years.

freshman

Residential

and

College

deans and the Office of the Dean of the College

select

combination courses’

students

of

their

breadth

based

grades

and

on

and

depth.

a

their

Many

of

them have perfect GPAs. The Tory acquired winners’ names from past commencement programs and eating

club

membership

rosters

from

Princeton’s meal exchange website. The list

of

eight

recipients

months

after

they’ve

won,

presents

the

available

isn’t

students

so

this

most

results.

published learn

until that

investigation

recent

Those

publicly

who

won

two

Shapiro Prizes weren’t counted twice in the tally.

Sign-in eating clubs had about two times as many winners as bicker clubs.

Colonial

Club

Students

in

percent

of

had

this all

the

club

most

with

composed

upperclassmen

but

15. five ten

percent of prize recipients.

Tower Club came in second at 13 and Quadrangle Club third at 11. One in eight members

of

Quad

received

a

Shapiro

Prize, while one in ten at Colonial and Charter Club did the same.

6 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

Tiger Inn, Ivy Club, University Cottage

berships are one cause of this disparity.

-sses of 2019 and 2020 played a varsity

Club,

sport.

and

combined

Cannon had

fewer

Dial than

Elm

Club

The Daily Princetonian reported last year

five

prize

that

TI,

Ivy,

Cottage,

and

Cannon

had

winners, which was less than any single

some of the highest rates of varsity athl-

other eating club.

ete

Groups that “feed” these clubs’ mem-

representation

on

Prospect

Avenue.

Only one of the prize winners in the Cla-

7 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

Liam O'Connor is a Senior in the Geosciences Department. He can be contacted at lpo@princeton.edu.

AGAINST NORMAN FINKELSTEIN'S ANTI-SEMITISM AND HIS NORMALIZERS

Opinion

Adam Hoffman I always thought that Princeton was different.

I

erudition, global,

thought

was

and

the

academy,

resistant

vicious

to

a

in

its

resurgent,

anti-Semitism.

Last

week, I realized that I was wrong. But Jew-hatred

didn’t

just

crash

the

party.

Princeton and some of its student groups issued an invitation to anti-Semitism, and it promptly RSVP’d.

Norman Finkelstein, a noxious and malignant

purveyor

of

prejudice,

was

invited to join a panel titled, “Fighting for

Justice,

Black

and

event

was

American

From

Gaza

Palestinian

by

Norman Finkelstein, courtesy of YouTube

Ferguson:

Solidarity.”

co-sponsored Studies

to

the

Department,

anizations

The

anti-Semitism

African the

I always thought that Princeton was different. I thought the academy, in its erudition, was resistant to a resurgent, global, and vicious anti-Semitism.

Carl

A. Fields Center for Diversity and Dialogue,

Alliance

of

Jewish

Committee

Princeton

Young

Democratic

When

comes

to

it

on

Progressives,

Princeton

Palestine,

and

Socialists.

attacking

Jews,

it

seems as though recruiting allies is not a problem.

a

“satanic

state”

to

preposterously from

contaminated

their

very

with

cores.

He

described

Gaza

as

“not

missile

attacks

rockets,

[but]

fireworks.” Finkelstein also asserted that U.S. Representative John Lewis, a giant of

the

Civil

corrupted

Rights

by

the

community.” sponsored

Movement,

“very

During

tirade,

rich

his

was

Jewish

University-

Finkelstein

accused

Israelis of “drinking the blood of those

of Israel. He claims that Israel is illegitHe calls Israel

are

denied Israel any right to self-defense and

Finkelstein is more than a mere critic

imate.

who

themselves.

children,”

an

explicit

invocation

of

the

from “the boils of hell.” And, he challen-

Do not be fooled by Finkelstein’s

medieval blood libel that was used as a

ges Israel’s fundamentally unique quality

high-minded language or dizzying politi-

pretext to exterminate Jews for centuries.

— its Jewishness — as racist. Never has

cal turns. Hate is often couched in nuan-

Worst of all was his call to violence. He

he attacked France for its French identity

ce. Do not give it that comfort. Recognize

declared

that

or Japan for its Japanese character. Only

it for what it is. To stand with Hamas

ation

kill

Israel; only the Jews. For Finkelstein, the

and Hezbollah, whose leaders have called

towards

line between anti-Semitism and anti-Zio-

for

dead,”

nism isn’t just blurry. It’s nonexistent.

akin to standing with the Nazi Party. Hate

stein’s co-panelists – University Profess-

is hate.

or

“But Finkelstein is a Jew; he can’t be

the

annihilation

of

world

Jewry,

is

of

to

we

Israelis

slave he

carry as

the

American

same

oblig-

Americans

catchers.

said. All

African

the

“Shoot while,

Studies

had them

Finkel-

Joshua

reply.

In his remarks on campus, Finkelstein

Like all of us, he should not be judged by

attacked Jacob Katz, a Princeton student

Country

his

who has served in the Israeli army, as a

Edith Garwood – sat silent and listened to

substance of his ideas. By that standard,

“concentration

Finkelstein’s poison. The audience giggl-

Finkelstein is a bigot. Those who were

grandson of Holocaust survivors. Finkel-

ed

complicit in inviting him are accomplices

stein

courage!

in his hate. They should be ashamed of

Hezbollah, U.S. designated terrorist org-

anti-Semitic,”

ethnicity

his

or

defenders

religion,

will

but

by

the

refused

camp

to

guard.”

condemn

Katz

Hamas

is

a

and

8 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

Guild

and

and

Amnesty

Specialist

snickered.

International for

USA

Israel/Palestine

What

profiles

Finkelstein’s inexcusable statements

in

were foreseeable. A simple skim of his Wikipedia

page

reveals

his

stated

I fear that to answer these questions is just

as

troubling

as

to

ask

them.

The

solidarity with Hezbollah and support for

organizers of the event knew whom they

targeting Israeli civilians. Did the African

were

American

Finkelstein’s

these

Studies

Department

statements

invitation?

not

disqualifying

In

what

find

of

way

inviting.

I

raised

past

an

Director

of

the

does

Tennille

Haynes

concerns

comments

Carl

A.

and

about

with

Fields

members

the

he

can

be

distinguished

from

a

white

supremacist or an Islamophobe.

This

past

October,

Jewish

community

victim

to

a

in

pogrom

an

American

Pittsburgh and

the

was

largest

Center

murder of Jews on American soil. This

of

past

the

May,

Congress could

Alliance of Jewish Progressives. Neither

singularly

Center’s

group was deterred from sponsoring the

espoused

event.

week, on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of

a

sense

of

belonging that permeates throughout all aspects of the Princeton community?”

The Carl A. Fields Center assured me

Who won’t the Alliance of Jewish Progressives

endorse

intersectionally

to The

seen

as

one

of

its

the

Jewish

that the sponsoring group “did their due

German

attempted

diligence

gathered in synagogue.

- Adam Hoffman '23 in

vetting

speakers

and

anti-Semitism members.

to

Today’s climate is alarming.

couldn’t even unite all of its members for

all “check[ed] with departments and co-

For

a lukewarm condemnation. Why couldn’t

sponsors of the event for their thoughts.”

University

the

Palestine

It is hard to know whether to cry from the

Finkelstein’s

bring themselves to dispute Finkelstein’s

recklessness of their sponsorship or laugh

hateful

characterization

at their incompetence.

condemned

Committee

of

Israel,

on

instead

only

criticizing his “behavior [which] derailed the

conversation

[their]

main

and

goal”?

distracted

Are

the

For Jews today, there is a greater

members

of

the

Princeton

the world. It is the normalizers – those

normalizing anti-Semitism.

people

anti-Semitism

cannot

like

and

him

–

render who

mainstream

invite

him

to

reprehensible

of

Such

have

a

been Instead,

community history

of

Adam Hoffman is a Freshman. He can be contacted at adam.hoffman@princeton.edu.

prestigious universities and pretend that

For Jews today, there is a greater tragedy than the Norman Finkelsteins of the world. It is the normalizers – those who welcome and render mainstream people like him.

9 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

the

session

unequivocally.

Princeton

welcome

a

should

Jews

week,

practice.

joined

the

disguise itself as anti-Zionism?

event

a

tragedy than the Norman Finkelsteins of

who

that

target

last

from

Young Democratic Socialists truly under spell

afternoon hosted

a

massacre

organizing the event” and that this was

an

Last

calendar,

organization

Princeton

woke?

be

by

the

unite to

Finkelstein’s presence further the Fields goal to “promote

condemn

not

COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE AMY CONEY BARRETT SURVEYS AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, CALLING IT THE FRAME OF THE AMERICAN STORY News Bianca Ortiz-Miskimen

“The story of America’s history – its pivotal

moments,

its

triumphs,

and

for American cohesion.

its

-ing slavery thus required not only a change

“Think about what a feat it is to keep

of

heart,

but

also

a

change

of

con-

disgraces – can’t be told without the Con- such an immense and diverse people all

stitutional text,” explained Barrett. “In the

stitution,”

case of slavery, the moral debate could not

explained

Judge

Amy

Coney

under one roof,” Barrett said, adding that

Barrett in a Thursday lecture. “The Con- “allowing regional differences, expressed stitution’s amendments are documentary

through

governments,

She went on to explain that it was

evidence of the arcs of American history,

enables this large and diverse country to

through the Reconstruction Amendments –

and

arguments

about

the

state

and

local

evade the constitutional debate."

Constitution get along.”

have figured prominently in most of the nation’s great debates.”

that

Barrett

did

however

warn

against

relying on the Constitution alone.

Barrett is a federal judge in the U.S.

is,

ments

–

“equal

“Constitutional rules leave no room

and was on President Trump’s shortlist the

Supreme

Court

seat

vacated

senators

lodged

attacks

that

14th,

slavery

protection

and

was

was

15th

amend-

dismantled

[textually]

and

enshri-

In spite of the Constitution’s limitations, Barrett continued to circle back to

Leaving some constitutional decisions to public officials is a feature, not a bug of the system.

by

Justice Anthony Kennedy. After Democratic

13th,

ned...once and for all."

Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit for local disagreement and they barr any

for

the

against

Barrett during her appeals court confirmation hearing, conservative and Catholic leaders came to her defense.

Barrett gave the annual Walter F.

Judge Amy Coney Barrett

Murphy Lecture in American Constitutionalism, sponsored by the James Madis- ability

to

bring

on Program. The lecture is named after

Congress,”

the

reason,

about

“The Constitution gives us the ability to place individual rights beyond the reach of

democratic

through

majorities,”

explained

Barrett, stressing the importance of supermajoritarian, provided

change

to

untouchable

rights

that

are

Americans

solely

by

the

Constitution.

that

After the lecture, the discussion was

resist

the

opened up for a Q&A session.When ask-ed

temptation - P to r e sresolve i d e n t E i severy g r u b e rmoral

and

by Prof. George whether something so thin

Walter F. Murphy, who passed away in

political question through the Constituti-

and procedural was enough to hold people

2010. The professorship is currently held

on."

together, Barrett responded by pointing to

Jurisprudence

by

Robert

P.

McCormick and

Professor

constitutional

George,

Director

of

scholar

of

the

James Madison Program.

ought

to

Additionally, Barrett said some questions

Barrett began by pointing out the

Americans

Barrett.

been.

“For

renowned

explained

just how important this brief document has

which

are

explicitly

constitutional

do not need to be decided by the courts.

the fact that the Constitution has endured for so long. She asserted that we need to continue to commit ourselves to constituti-

salient differences between our Constit-

“Leaving some constitutional decisions

ution and those of other countries. Many

to public officials is a feature, not a bug

large and diverse country is one of the few

a country, such as the United Kingdom,

of the system,” explained Barrett, point-

things that we can say we all have in com-

does not have a written constitution, and

ing to the Louisiana Purchase as a prime

mon,"

no other country has a constitution which

example.

religion, so to speak. When you think of the

has

continuously

survived

as

long

as

America’s, Barrett said.

“The average constitution is replaced

Barrett also grappled with the original sin

of

“[The

the

American

Constitution]

Constitution.

counted

slaves

as

nal

principles.“The

explained

go

see

it

Barrett added.

of

that is the case.”

Federalism was another focus of the talk, with Barrett portraying it as a means

slave

trade until 1808, and prevented free states from harboring fugitive slaves. Abolish-

10 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

to

-you

pressed

the

“It

is

our

our

civic

National Archives and people lining up to

only three-fifths of a person for purposes protected

Barrett.

in

Constitution on display behind glass in the

every 19 years. We’ve had ours for 250,”

apportionment,

Constitution

find

would another

probably country

be in

hardwhich

Briana Ortiz-Miskimen is a Sophomore. She can be contacted at biancao@princeton.edu.

THE LAWSPLAINER JOHN MARSHALL AND THE JURISPRUDENCE OF NECESSITY Akhil Rajasekar

Opinion

It is a common grievance of the mod-

The eventual ratification of the Const- bothered

ern political era that too much of Americ- itution did not quell partisanship but proan law is too deeply entangled with polit-

given

him

on

some

partisanship

vided new grounds for its proliferation. political

world,

level.

as

he

the

However,

way

engaged

in

of it

his with

ics. We routinely accuse judges of harbo- Yes, the new constitution had been adopt-

great skill. Marshall’s own position in the

ring

ulterior

political

motives,

chastise

ed; however, many interpretive questions

constitutional politics of his time appears

legal interest groups for attempting to cir-

lay open and unresolved in the nascent

to have been primarily influenced by his

cumvent the political process, and appear

Republic, and open questions breed parti- service

in

the

Continental

Army.

This

to be in a state of perennial worry about sanship. The Federalists, in general mem-

experience exposed him firsthand to the

the

deep and serious ills that plagued the old

composition

Underlying

of

this

the

modern

Supreme

Court. bership

obsession

with

rescuing the law from the perilous clutch-

still

the

constitution, with

supporters

constructed

relative

breadth

of

the

and

the

new

document

believed

national

government.

it Continental

The

Congress,

impotent

unable

to

raise

es of politics is the conviction that this appropriate for the federal government to revenue, pay soldiers, honor contracts, or entanglement is a modern phenomenon — wield and exercise important powers. On

muster

a perversion of the legal stoicism of less

the war effort to such a degree that the

political yore. Nothing could be further from the truth. The story of the American Constitution

is

partisanship.

In

a

story

fact,

of

politics

some

of

and

the

first

national factions were formed by people in relation to their positions on the thenproposed constitution. The Federalists, a group of citizens who largely believed in the

irredeemability

of

the

Articles

of

The story of the early American republic is largely a story of this constitutional partisanship. And at the center of both stands the towering figure of John Marshall.

reliable

reinforcements,

stunted

eventual victory was won in spite of its incompetence, not because of its efforts.

Scarred by the horrors of the institutional ineptitude to which he, his men, and his hero,

George

Washington,

were

subjected, Marshall would spend much of his life’s work in defense of a relatively robust

understanding

of

federal

power.

Therefore, it’s no secret that Marshall’s

Confederation, held that the adoption of a

experiences under an ineffective national

new

government helped form and solidify his

constitution

national

with

government

a

more

was

robust the other hand, the Jeffersonian Republic-

critical.

The ans, with some notable exceptions, were

jurisprudence

and

constitutional

Anti-Federalists, citizens who were gene- largely composed of Anti-Federalists and philosophy. What I argue in this essay is rally

satisfied

with

the

status

quo,

others who took issue with the new const-

believed that the Articles should be left itution. alone,

perhaps

with

some

Having

failed

in

their

original,

minor absolutist opposition to it, they now took

adjustments at the margins. The cleavage to construing it in a manner that would between these factions grew deeper as the considerably work

of

the

progressed.

Constitutional

With

the

weaken

its

of

the ment relative to its state counterparts.

Constitution and its transmission to the

those

The story of the early American repu-

experiences

had

a

distinct

effect, not only on the substance of his jurisprudence,

but,

importantly,

the

and Marshall

provisions

Convention ensure the frailty of the national govern-

completion

that

on

perhaps manner

approached

and

more

in

which

framed

the

constitutional questions of his time.

To Marshall, the proposed constitution was not simply an intellectual exercise in

states for ratification, the factions partook blic is largely a story of this constitution- political

theory.

It

was

a

desperately-

in an epic intellectual face-off over the al partisanship. And at the center of both needed solution to a ruinous and irredeefuture of the Republic, taking their battle stands stations

along

question

—

the

contours

whether

the

of

towering

figure

of

John

one Marshall.

proposed

mable status quo. This meant constitutional

debates

could

not

revolve

around

For his part, Marshall did not shrink objections based soley in theory or princ-

constitution ought to become the supreme from law of the land.

the

partisanship.

The

increasing iple. Rather, the two sides would have to

factionalism of the polity seems to have

11 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

engage over the powers of the federal

THE LAWSPLAINER government relative to its proper duties, provisions obligations, and responsibilities. Marshall

as

Jeffersonians

believed that it was proper for the federal government government

and

its

branches

to

have

a power.

robust set of well-defined powers in the federal

narrowly

would of

This

be

to

necessary

was

not

government

as deprive

and

to

the

say

could

the entirety of the proposed constitution,

the sparing no effort in attempting to derail

essential its ratification and adoption. It was now that

the the same group that was advocating for

every an interpretive philosophy that would cri-

claim

realms in which it was necessary for the power as necessary and expect sanction pple its core elements. If Jefferson and federal government to act.

from

Marshall.

The Genêt affair exposed the urgent constitutional necessity of having the president, and the

He

most

considered

actions did as they claimed it did, why did they

federal

pursued toward legitimate ends within the

president alone, represent the American scope of the federal government’s realm people

in

response

foreign to

the

relations.

extradition

Marshall’s of of

constitutional

Thomas actions

or

ends

duty, were

his party truly believed the Constitution

provided

oppose

it

with

such

vehemence?

They

had lost the big battle over the Constitut-

the ion and were now trying to hijack its pro-

themselves visions to get their way anyway.

not

prohibited by the Constitution. Marshall’s

Marshall’s understanding of the Cons-

of enabling the federal government, and understanding of constitutionality was so

titution as a charter of necessities, and the

Nash dwelt in large part on the necessity

the president in particular, to honor treat-

formed in part due to his belief that the constitutional

ies and compacts into which the United powers States had entered with foreign nations. were

granted

not

only

the

federal

important

government

and

necessary

philosophy

he

drew

from

that view, bear great weight and are important

lenses

through

which

to

analyze

In his opinion for the Court in Marbury v. for its fulfillment of legitimate functions

the constitutional politics of the time. It

and duties, but that going the Jeffersonian

is today an uncontested recognition that

three necessities, one per question posed: route would be to simply bring the new

the system of government erected by the

Madison,

Marshall

was

concerned

with

(1) the necessity of ensuring the validity

system,

erect-ed

with

painstaking

care, Articles of Confederation was a failure,

of a commission signed by the president closer to the failures of the Articles of principally for want of a national government with sufficient powers and operatio-

and sealed; (2) the necessity of the exist- Confederation.

Marshall recognized, somewhat exas-

ence of legal recourse for one whose right had been violated; and (3) the necessity of judicial review to determine whether a statute contrary to the Constitution could be considered legitimate law. To Marshall, “Necessary and Proper” was not just a constitutional clause; it was the essence

But, necessary on what grounds? The Constitution established a federal government of delegated and enumerated powers that could not legislate in every space the

wanted

sun.

to

While

construe

the

those

Jeffersonians provisions

as

narrowly as possible, Marshall believed in the premise of the Constitution — that only

those

federal course

powers

government of

properly

necessary to

possess

managing

for

the

in

the

national

affairs had been made available to it. As such,

depriving

that

every

power,

authority,

the

constitutional authority

government by construing

of

of a new nation. In the wake of this failed

and office could be abused and descend experiment with radical decentralization into some magnitude of tyranny. But, if

of power, the Federalists rightly came to

the people were to be constantly skeptical

view

the

new

constitution

as

a

course

of every aspect of government and cynic- correction that balanced concerns of tyraal about every one of its actions, he argu- nny and impotence by delegating to the ed, the country could hardly have a funct-

of his jurisprudence.

under

peratedly,

nal breadth to manage the pressing affairs

ioning

government.

The

federal government only such powers as

Constitution’s necessary to run a nation properly, while

internal designs would keep this problem

also

sufficiently at bay, but there was simply

three

no

avoiding

the

fact

that

there

dividing

those

branches.

powers

These

twin

among

the

principles,

would federalism and the separation of powers,

have to be trust placed in the government would guard against national encroachmwith respect to those powers necessary to

ents of state and individual liberty. The

properly govern on a national scale. Prop- powers

granted

the

federal

government

osals to the contrary would lead down the

were grounded in substance. The Congre-

dark road of stateless anarchy.

ss had the authority to legislate on certain

Indeed, Marshall would have justifia- subjects

and

only

those.

Together

with

bly viewed the constitutional philosophy the Supremacy Clause of Article VI, the advocated by the Jeffersonian Republic- new

constitution

had

a

simple

bottom

ans partly as evidence of bad faith. Here line: where the federal government ruled, was a faction that had intensely opposed

12 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

it would rule supreme: where it ruled not,

THE LAWSPLAINER it would rule not at all. This elegant line, -trued, of those powers for the functioni- all’s intellectual rivals in his time believhowever,

raised

more

questions

than

it

put to rest.

ng of the federal government and the bra- ed in curtailing necessary powers, their nch to which they would make the most modern counterparts have swung to the

If there were subjects on which the sense to belong. Each of the three depart- other extreme, with little regard for the federal government would be supreme, it

ments of the federal government is entru-

would become all the more important to

sted by the Constitution with certain dut- This has led to the rise of a massive cent-

determine kinds

of

what

those

questions

were

and

issues

and

what ies,

could

responsibilities,

and

obligations. ralized bureaucracy, unchecked legislat-

be When a department is engaged in lawful

subsumed under them. The Constitution pursuit

of

constitutional

principle of limited federal government.

obligations,

ive authority, and a breakdown of federa-

it lism

and

the

separation

of

powers

that

itself provided limited guidance on what would be sensible to defer to it on some have thus far preserved important indivithe specific applications of its delegations questions of constitutionality relevant to to

Congress

would

look

like.

The

dual rights from national encroachment.

text its actions. Indeed, since each branch is, It appears that Marshall’s paradigm is as,

contained a general list of congressional

in effect, an office of trust under the Con- if not more, relevant and important today

powers, and an authorization for Congre- stitution, each branch has its own relatio- as it was over 200 years ago. To judge ss to adopt such means of effectuating its

nship with, and obligation to, the Constit- the actions and claims of the federal gov-

powers as would be “Necessary and Prop- ution. It is this understanding of the fede- ernment and its departments through the er,” but there was very little that address- ral government as a composite of three lens of necessity is to remain true to the ed how those powers could or could not co-equal

departments

be used in the pursuit of specific policy constitutional goals.

Consequently,

the

constitutional

politics of Marshall’s time largely revolv-

guide

our

with

independent first principles of American constitution-

responsibilities

inquiry

into

that

which

must alism

specific

powers belong in which branches when

and

between

preserve

tyranny

that

on

sacred

one

balance

extreme

impotent government on the other.

ed around two questions: (1) what specif- the Constitution is silent on the matter. ic

powers

the

federal

government

had;

The paradigm of necessity through

and (2) which branch of the federal gove-

which Marshall understood the Constitut-

rnment, if any, wielded those powers. To

ion is a powerful tool with which to eval-

answer these questions as Marshall would uate is to consider the necessity, broadly cons-

our

constitutional

politics,

both

in

Akhil Rajasekar is a Junior in the Politics Department. He can be contacted at akhilr@princeton.edu.

Marshall’s time and now. While Marsh-

To Marshall, the proposed constitution was not simply an intellectual exercise in political theory. It was a desperatelyneeded solution to a ruinous and irredeemable status quo.

13 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

and

ASK ANSCOMBE Dear Anscombe, I recently read an article in Medium entitled "Does Marriage Even Make Sense Anymore?" The author writes that, on the one hand, the desire for marriage boils down to a desire for social validation and personal security - "we're happier with finality." But on the other, she admits getting married is a matter of individual choice and the personal pursuit of happiness (and that "deeper happiness" depends upon a more "complex approach" than getting married). What do you make of this author's opinions?

Is marriage simply a matter of social acceptance or personal choice?

Editor’s note: The question has been edited slightly for clarity. For a link to the Medium piece, find this column on the Tory’s website.

Before diving into this question, it’s the contract is not the marriage, but is spirit

at

the

end

of

it

all.”

But

this

important to first clarify what exactly the simply legal evidence of it. This is why ultimately self-centered view of marriage author

is

arguing.

Kris

Gage

writes, marriage

“please note: we aren’t comparing ‘marri-

is

relationship,

the

most

because

important it

is

the

human ignores the crucial — even central — role

only

one that commitment

age’ to ‘bachelorhood’ or ‘single paren- which demands permanence (barring act- forming ts,’

and

we

aren’t

using

‘marriage’

a

plays

in

marriage.

comprehensive

union,

By

both

as ions by either party that violate the sanct- spouses have agreed to do everything in

synonymous with ‘monogamy.’ This post ity of marriage). Friendships may weaken their power to maintain that union. Becais about long term, monogamous, cohabi- and wither over time, but the commitment use

a

married

couple

has

agreed

to

be

ting couples — why are we still getting of marriage exhorts each spouse to activ- united in will, this involves making the married?” At first glance, it seems like ely maintain the marital union. Divorce decision

to

change

in

ways

that

cause

the only difference between the two is the is, therefore, not a tragedy because a leg- them to grow closer to one another. Marrsigning of a marriage contract, but as the al contract has been broken, but because iage, then, is not a union of convenience article develops, it becomes clear that the the comprehensive union and commitme- for times of fair weather and tax incentidea of marriage Gage is arguing against nt at its core has been compromised. lacks the loving commitment that must be at the core of marriage.

ives. It is a far deeper commitment of two

Now, framing marriage in this way souls, driven by the conviction that marrplaces a lot of pressure on the act of cho- iage

Throughout the article, marriage is osing a potential spouse. Should one opt good,

is

a

loving

bad,

and

union ugly.

for

all

People

times in

-

such

described as merely a contract — a legal for marriage, choosing the person to who- marriages understand that to grow is not institution that attempts to keep a couple

m one makes such a comprehensive, life- to grow apart, and that such a union nece-

together regardless of their desire to actu- long commitment is very likely the most ssarily involves loving compromise, undally

be

together.

However,

describing important

decision

one

will

ever

make. erstanding, and sacrifice in the interest of

marriage in such legalistic and contract- But, how can one possibly know if the that sacred union of love. Clearly, howual terms strips away the foundation of person one is currently dating will still be ever, this is not the prevailing view of what marriage really is: a comprehensive

as loveable five years down the road, yet marriage, as is easily evidenced by a sig-

and permanent union. Marriage is not just alone for the rest of one’s life? After all, nificant divorce rate in the United States. a prohibition against divorce, but the refl- people change, and it is unreasonable to

Gage advocates for the removal of the

ection of the fact that a couple have chos- expect that someone will remain the same marriage

contract

that

divorce

breaks.

en to unite their bodies and wills in order person forever. Gage argues this very po- She states, “I’d rather leave the door wide to love each other in their greatest capaci- sition, writing, “deeper happiness means open for my partner than hold him legally ties. In that sense, legal marriage is but a we understand that the only thing we con- obligated to stay. When I kiss him each recognition in law of the comprehensive

trol is ourselves. And that everything ch- morning,

union of two people who have committed anges, and sometimes people change, and because themselves to each other. That is to say,

contracts mean very little to the human

14 | The Princeton Tory | 2019

I he

want wants

to to

know be.”

he’s But

there

this

misguided. Because marriage requires

is

ASK ANSCOMBE such a high level of commitment between may seem to be able to provide the same -on

of

love

will

endure

long

after

the

spouses, it is imperative that its legal bo- benefits as marriage, but without the pro- investments are made. The deepest happnd not be taken lightly. If we follow Ga-

mise of commitment, it fails to establish iness of a marital union, then, does not

ge’s advice to “love [our partner] health- the permanent and comprehensive union come ily and hard every day,” then we should that marriage does.

one’s

ability

to

leave

it

at

will, but from the desire to honor, cher-

One may view the prospect of lifelong ish, and love the person to whom one has

feel pain if one day they change their mi-

commitment

nd and decide to leave.

from

to

a

single

person

to

be committed

Besides, having a legal protection sur- daunting. It may be preferable to leave selfsame

and

given

desire

that

oneself,

one

in

and

turn

the

draws

rounding the marriage does not mean that options open and move on when one is no from one’s spouse. Such a marriage canwant

to

remain

longer satisfied. But people are not utilit- not die — not because it is contractually

legal

protection

ies, and choosing a partner is not a com- protected by law, but because it has been

acknowledges the fact that a stable marri-

mercial endeavor. To invest as deeply in immortalized in the understanding of the

either

spouse

married.

does

Instead,

not that

age is indeed a good. The legal bond of a person as healthy marriage counsels is spouses as an eternal union of deep commarriage exists precisely because the un- to be to the other person their everything. mitment and sacrificial love. derlying commitment to a perpetual union This is to learn their deepest dreams, hopof love is worth fiercely protecting. The es and fears, respect their feelings, sacrifway to solve the divorce issue is not to

ice

for

them,

and

always

be

there

make a marriage easier to leave, but to them through trials and tribulations. It is show

couples

how

to

strengthen

Sincerely,

for

Anscombe

their to overlook their flaws, hope for them the

marriages and encourage them to do so.

very best in life, confide in them all of

Gage’s article argues that while choo-

one’s own mind, and, ultimately, to love

If you'd like to ask a question

sing marriage is more socially acceptable,

them more than one would their own self.

about love, sex, relationships or

long-term cohabitation is what can actua- A commitment of such gravity can hardly lly

lead

to

“deeper

happiness.”

Though be made without a firm prospect of its

A marriage is the deepest and most

with its main goal of fostering a perman- profound investment one will ever make, ent love between spouses. Cohabitation

Ask Anscombe team at anscombe@princeton.edu. Should

marriage is indeed more socially accepta- perpetuity. ble, that ultimately has very little to do

anything of that type, email the

and it is driven by the belief that the uni-

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