Featured
Featured Article
Temptations of Tyranny
Rod Dreher’s conflicted support for President Trump illustrates a broader crisis among intellectual conservatives who fear the "soft totalitarianism" of liberal institutions yet embrace the hard authoritarianism of executive overreach. Drawing on Hannah Arendt’s political thought, the essay contends that true freedom is preserved not through charismatic leaders but through the multiplication and decentralization of citizen power. Revitalizing democracy, it argues, requires stubborn, local acts of collective governance rather than the dangerous temptation to concentrate authority in a single figure.04-27-2025
Featured
A Constitutional Crisis?
Is the U.S. facing a constitutional crisis, or is it all political theater? This analysis breaks down the escalating tensions between the executive branch and the courts—separating fact from fiction and exploring what’s really at stake for American democracy.02-16-2025
Only Power Can Check Power
Hannah Arendt saw America’s strength in its dispersion of power, rooted in civic engagement and local governance. As executive authority expands, the true challenge is not just legal resistance but the reinvigoration of collective action. Can we reclaim the founding spirit of self-governance, or will we cede our power to those who seek to consolidate it? 02-02-2025
Project Presidential Power
The consolidation of presidential power through executive actions and the theory of the unitary executive poses a fundamental threat to the constitutional separation of powers and democracy, exacerbated by media failures to address these actions beyond partisan framing.01-26-2025
On Political Contingency
This article delves into the precarious balance of power, tracing historical parallels and the unpredictable dynamics of human action to explore the implications of Donald Trump’s second presidency. Through the lens of Hannah Arendt’s philosophy and the lessons of history, it challenges readers to consider whether America stands on the brink of renewal, revolution, or stagnation.01-19-2025
A Bulwark Against the Cult of Power
Amid a backdrop of declining religious affiliation, an unexpected spiritual awakening is taking hold among intellectuals who once upheld rationalism as the ultimate guide. Figures like Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Matthew Crawford are turning to faith, seeking meaning and transcendence in response to the profound fractures of modern society.01-12-2025
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
The path to addressing political despair begins with moving beyond daily distractions and focusing on rebuilding trust in our institutions. Citizens’ Assemblies offer a practical and inspiring approach, bringing diverse voices together to tackle complex challenges through collaboration and shared purpose. 01-05-2025
The Return of Political Violence
This article explores the visceral reactions to the public execution of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, highlighting how anger, possibly fueled by social media and systemic injustices, has become a defining force in modern American society. It underscores the dangerous cycle of rage and violence, noting how it often obscures justice and forewarns of a growing embrace of political and social instability.12-08-2024
An Anachronism That Still Flourishes
A.M. Hickman sees upstate New York as a place in decline but full of rugged beauty and independent spirit. He admires its honesty, simplicity, and connection to America's roots, untouched by modern changes.12-01-2024