According to Calhoun, slavery is seen as a divine institution that has been validated across history, religious teachings, and its benefit to personal and national freedom. He considers it a natural and sanctioned part of society, framing it as aligned with providence and morality.

This perspective reflects a justification of slavery as something honored and beneficial, suggesting that it is integral to both individual and collective liberty. Nancy MacLean’s work explores how such ideas have historically influenced and supported the radical right’s discreet strategies to uphold certain power structures in America.