Why a President Cannot Whip Inflation
One of the greatest challenges facing the administration of US President Gerald Ford when he assumed office in 1974 was the poor state of the US economy, which was suffering from a condition dubbed stagflation – stagnation and inflation.
September 17th at the Convention
The main source we have for information on the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention, occurring in the summer of 1787, is James Madison’s notes on the convention.
On Empathy
I have spent weeks trying to write something arguing that empathy is the answer to everything…
Abraham Lincoln and the Long Arc of History
Today is the birthday of Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd U.S. president and the only president ever elected from the state of Indiana, which is not far from where I’m writing this morning.
What Made Gerald Ford a Good President?
From August 6-9, the Ford celebrated the 50th anniversary of Gerald and Betty Ford becoming president and first lady of the United States.
Gerald Ford: The Indispensable Statesman for a Fractured Nation
This Friday, August 9, marks the 50th anniversary of Gerald Ford's swearing-in as the 38th President of the United States.
The Fly in the Ointment
Some years ago I attended a conference that brought together political practitioners and academics to see what we could learn from one another’s work.
Democratic Abstractions
A recent essay over at Quillette observed that "The near assassination of Donald Trump was a brazen attack on democracy."
Violence and The Presidency
Our policy for this “forum” is to avoid culture war issues, partisanship, and ripped-from-the-headlines breathless reporting.
The Impeachment Power
As we head deeper into this troublesome election season, we can’t help but notice the paradox that voters are discontented with the two candidates for president that they themselves have chosen.
The Pursuit of Happiness
“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The substitution of “the pursuit of happiness” for “property” in this famous triumvirate may be simultaneously the most inspiring and most troubling rhetorical move in American history.
The State of the University
One of the more interesting developments of the last five years (or so) has been the creation of independent content delivery systems that allow authors to bypass corporate control of news and information.
Forty-Nine Ways To Fix the World (Hint: Start Locally)
Crisis at the border. You fear the other guy will win the November election.
Remembering Dwight David Eisenhower, Part 2: The Presidential Years
Dwight David Eisenhower was known as a man of dispassionate and independent judgment.
Symbols and American Politics
Tomorrow, June 14th, is Flag Day. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States by the Second Continental Congress in 1777.
Eisenhower's Farewell Address
We’ve argued repeatedly in this space that part of Washington’s greatness as president was his willingness to walk away from power, even in circumstances where the opportunity to expand power was handed to him.
On Courage
In my essay last week I talked about my ambivalent reaction to the movie Saving Private Ryan. Although visually powerful, I found the story full of holes and the overall moral framework poorly constructed.
The Art of War
On this Memorial Day we take some time to reflect on books and movies that can help us better understand the experiences of soldiers at war.
Stuck in the Middle With You
Being in the middle has a bad reputation. Middle children often seem willful and resentful.
The Cynic and the Emperor
My field of political philosophy contains an inherent contradiction since a philosophical disposition often eschews too close an engagement with the powers and principalities of this world.