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Foundations of a Nation

Foundations of a Nation

Written by: Alex Tuckness
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About this listen

To understand the foundations of America, we need to dig into the key texts and thinkers who have helped define our nation. On the "Foundations of a Nation" podcast Alex Tuckness, Chair of the Political Science Department at Iowa State University, talks with his friend, Barrett Randall, about the ideas that have shaped America. Season 1 looks at the Declaration of Independence."

© 2026 Foundations of a Nation World
Episodes
  • Rights and the Declaration

    Rights and the Declaration
    May 11 2026

    Barrett and Alex talk about rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and about what it means for rights to be "unalienable." They also talk about how this is not a complete list of rights and what the founders thought about the right to property.
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    20 mins
  • Equality and the Declaration

    Equality and the Declaration
    May 4 2026

    Barrett and Alex talk about the meaning of the famous statement "all men are created equal" in light of the fact that some of those who voted for it owned slaves. They explore the different views of equality that existed at the time and how the statement "all men are created equal" has been used subsequently in our history as America tries to make this ideal a reality.

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    27 mins
  • The Audience of the Declaration

    The Audience of the Declaration
    Apr 27 2026

    Barrett and Alex look at the opening paragraph of the Declaration and how it was publicized to learn more about its intended audience and the purposes of the document.
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    25 mins
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