Randolph Silliman Bourne (1886–1918) was an influential American progressive writer, intellectual, and social critic. Born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, he graduated from Columbia University and quickly established himself as a leading spokesman for the young radicals of the World War I era. Through his writing, Bourne sought to challenge contemporary political norms and offer a fresh, radical perspective on American society and foreign policy during a period of intense global upheaval.
Bourne's articles and essays frequently appeared in prominent intellectual journals of the day, including The Seven Arts and The New Republic. He is best known for his sharp critiques of militarism and the expansion of government authority. His most famous work, the unfinished essay "The State," was discovered after his death and published posthumously in the collection Untimely Papers. It is from this work that his most famous observation, "war is the health of the state," originates, lamenting how governments successfully arrogate power and resources during times of conflict.
