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The Democratic primaries are providing Americans with a model of what political rhetoric ought not be: sometimes angry and exaggerated, boring at other times, consistent only in the want of principle, prudence, and the power to persuade. Politics used to be the realm where the most gifted Americans would exercise their talents, some rising to the heights of statesmanship. Unfortunately, few young Americans today are trained in the principles and rhetoric of Washington, Jefferson, or Madison.
But statesmanship remains important for the American experiment in self-government. There are critical times—such as the impending crisis of 1861, the challenge of Soviet communism during the Cold War, and now the war on terrorism in the wake of 9/11. The fate of freedom rests on the shoulders people who understand basic principles of right that must guide America if the Republic is to endure. Teaching those principles to the best young minds, and how to articulate those principles for others, is precisely what the Claremont Institute's Publius Fellows Program aims to do.
The Claremont Institute's Publius Fellows Program is a summer resident seminar designed for college upperclassmen and graduate students who aspire to write for newspapers and opinion journals. This highly competitive program takes its name from the nom de plume used by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, authors of The Federalist Papers. For both their intellectual richness and political effectiveness, these articles remain the standard by which all subsequent American political journalism should be judged.
Now in its 26th year, the Publius Fellows Program is dedicated to preserving the tradition of American political writing of which Publius was the noblest exemplar. It aims to foster constructive commentary on the important issues of our time, informed and moderated by an understanding of the philosophic and historical roots of the American political tradition.
During their four-week tenure, Publius Fellows will reside in Claremont. They will attend an intensive series of seminars on political philosophy and American politics, and examine contemporary public policy in light of the principles of American constitutionalism. In addition, fellows will also be tutored in the art and craft of political journalism. Each fellow will write several pieces while in residence, which will each be subjected to detailed criticism. Up to 10 Publius Fellowships will be awarded.
More than 140 students have graduated from the program since its inception in 1979. Many of them have gone on to places of prominence within political, journalistic, and academic institutions. Past Publius Fellows include best-selling author Dinesh D'Souza, radio talk show host Laura Ingraham, White House speech writers Michael Anton and Cheryl Miller, and Public Interest Executive Editor Adam Wolfson, among many others.
Applications are now available online. Application materials are due March 12. Acceptance in the program is competitive, so interested students should begin to apply soon.
If you have any questions, please contact Tom Karako or Melanie Marlowe, at (909) 621-6825.
The mission of the Claremont Institute is to restore the principles of the American Founding to their rightful, preeminent authority in our national life. 