If there was one question Ernest asked me that I'd like a chance to answer differently/better, it is the question about "What are you trying to get across to the reader?"

What the reader can get from The Constellation of Liberty is the idea that government has a function as well as a form.  I think function is under-addressed.

Goverment is a guiding, restraining influence in society.

That is what goverment is.

Or at least, that is what it should be and should do.

The origin of that guiding restraining influence is the individual citizen, whether or not serving in any official capacity or not.

In fact, as it pertains to maintenance of domestic tranquility, the voluntary exercise of restraint on the part of the private citizenry is the PRIMARY government.  The executive branch is a back-up system for when the primary system fails.

That is what self-government means.

That is what "goverment of the people, for the people, by the people" IS.

The Constellation of Liberty shows how the constitution supports this view of liberty.

And THAT is what I wanted to get across to the reader in the book.

DC Treybil