Libertarianism and Democracy Revisited - A Rejoinder to Matt Zwolinski
We agree on many key points, but have a few notable differences.
Democracy
Who Should Defend Democracy?
Matt Zwolinski responds to my critique of his earlier article on libertarianism and democracy.
The Rebirth of History and the Last Man
Francis Fukuyama's new book tackles transhumanism, the urge to struggle, and what happens when people jump willingly back into the swamps of history.
Libertarianism and Democracy
Matt Zwolinski is right to emphasize that democracy is generally superior to authoritarianism, but wrong to suggest it should be a central libertarian commitment. Moreover, recent events highlight the validity and importance of longstanding libertarian critiques of democracy's weaknesses.
Justin Wolfers Recognizes His "Libertarian Friends Were Right" About Government Power
Wolfers is the latest of several prominent left-liberals to make similar admissions.
Nancy Pelosi Championed a Hong Kong Dissident. She May Have Doomed Him.
American politicians who cooperate with foreign activists, whether individual or institutional, often do more harm than good.
New Book on "Democracy's Challenges: 100 Ideas"
Now available online for free, from NYU Press. I am one of many contributors.
My New USA Today Article On Dangerous Similarities Between "Democratic Socialists" and MAGA Nationalists
Both seek sweeping government control over the economy, thereby imperiling liberty, prosperity, and democracy.
Trump's Venezuela Oil Deal Sells Out Democracy and Free Markets
The Trump administration isn't trying to end socialism in Venezuela. Instead, it is doing socialism in Venezuela.
I Played a Game Simulating the Aftermath of the 2028 Election. Here's How It Went.
The Democratic nominee won five swing states by less than one percentage point. Then things got crazy.
Stop Hating America
Plus: failing power grids, Canadian euthanasia, AOC running for president, and more...
Two Potential Upcoming Canadian Secession Referenda and the Broader Issues they Raise
Two Canadian provinces - Alberta and Quebec - may hold secession referenda in the near future. The issues at stake have broader implications for the morality of secession and other matters.
My New Liberalism.Org Article on "Liberalism's Uneasy Relationship with Democracy"
The article addresses the interlinked problems of widespread voter ignorance, tyranny of the majority, and illiberal anti-democratic movements coming to power through elections.
Matt Yglesias on Libertarianism, Abundance Liberalism, and a Possible Alliance Between the Two
Yglesias supports an alliance and has key points of agreement with libertarians, but also criticisms of libertarianism. I welcome former and respond to the latter.
The Global War on Free Speech
Jacob Mchangama and Jeff Kosseff discuss the global decline of free speech, why democracies are embracing censorship, and what can be done to protect open debate.
Unitelma Sapienza University Talk and Interview About "Threats to Liberal Democracy in the United States - And How To Counter Them"
Videos of my presentation and interview on this topic at a major Italian university.
The Major Questions Doctrine Constrains Presidential Power Over Elections
It limits executive power grabs in this field, as well as others.
Andy Serkis: What Orwell Understood About Tyranny
Andy Serkis discusses the corrupting nature of power, what Animal Farm says about modern authoritarianism, and whether technology expands or diminishes human creativity.
Virginia's Grotesque Gerrymander and the Bipartisan Death of Redistricting Reform
Republicans picked this fight, and Democrats responded by drawing some egregiously gerrymandered districts. In the end, voters lose.
The Republican Plan To Nationalize Elections Is Performative Nonsense
There is no voting crisis that demands federal intervention.
A Year After 'Liberation Day,' Trump's Tariffs Will Never Be Legitimate Without a Vote in Congress
The Trump administration keeps trying to find legal loopholes, but the will of the people is the final judge of any major policy.
NYU Democracy Project Article on How to "Strengthen Democracy by Empowering People to Vote with their Feet"
It is part of their series of essays addressing issues facing American democracy.
Democratizing Criminal Justice Through Crime Victims' Rights
Steve Twist and I propose increasing involvement by crime victims as a way to reduce politicization of criminal justice processes.
Donald Trump Makes the Case for Decentralized Control of Elections Great Again
Trump's call to "nationalize elections" leads prominent election law scholar Rick Hasen to reverse his longstanding support for such a policy.
Buckley v. Valeo is Not What Ails American Democracy
Those who blame Buckley for our current problems are wrong to do so. A contrary decision would have made things worse.
Why So Many Venezuelans Support Trump's Capture of Maduro
Venezuelan opposition leader Freddy Guevara explains support for U.S. intervention, how socialism destroyed Venezuela, and what a democratic transition would require.
Trump's Push To Restore 'Truth and Sanity in American History' Tests Nonpartisan Institutions
Politically-motivated firings and increased executive branch scrutiny set “a dangerous precedent,” warns a former archivist of the United States.
The Real Reason Golden Ages Collapse—and How the U.S. Can Avoid It
Past societies tried to regulate their way to stability. But it came at a great cost.
Jimmy Lai Is a Martyr for Freedom
The self-made tycoon was convicted this week of violating Hong Kong's "national security" law. But he could have escaped it.
New York Voters Say Yes to Faster Housing Approvals
Does that mean they want more housing generally?
A Nostalgic Read for Foreign Policy Elites
Michael McFaul's new book feels like it was written in 2015, not 2025.
How Trump Triggered California's Redistricting Fight
Don't believe the GOP's 'principled' opposition to Prop. 50
Venezuela's María Corina Machado Wins the Nobel Peace Prize for Standing Up to Socialism
The award goes to a classical liberal and free market advocate who has risked her life to challenge Venezuela’s socialist dictatorship.
Mocking Elected Officials Is a Sign of a Healthy Democracy
Thin-skinned MAGA can dish it out, but can't take mockery.
Why Trump's Plan to Exclude Undocumented Migrants From Census Count Determining Apportionment of Congressional Seats is Unconstitutional
The Constitution requires apportionment to be based on a count of all "persons," excluding only "Indians not taxed."
Norms Matter in Free, Democratic Societies
Trump's ability to shift acceptable policy debates poses dangers, given that many of the shifts obliterate political norms.
My Forthcoming Article on " Public Use, Exclusionary Zoning, and Democracy"
It is part of the Yale Journal on Regulation Symposium on the 20th Anniversary of Kelo v. City of New London.
More Than 1,800 'No Kings' Protests Aim for Nonviolent Pushback Against Trump Policies
The coalition’s national press coordinator says, “We’re all dedicated to championing the cause of nonviolence—not just because it’s moral, but because it’s more effective.”
The Best Democracy Is Anarchy
"Anarchism and democracy are—or should be—largely identical," wrote the anthropologist David Graeber.
Trump's Judge Bashing Provokes a Rebuke From Chief Justice John Roberts (Again)
"Impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision," Roberts noted after Trump said federal judges who impede his agenda should be fired.
Republicans May Regret Undermining Judicial Independence
Threats to impeach federal judges who rule against the government are a naked attack on their constitutionally crucial function.
Updated Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Overview of "The Ethics and Rationality of Voting"
Written by Georgetown Prof. Jason Brennan.
J.D. Vance Brings the Culture War to Europe: 'There Is a New Sheriff in Town'
The Munich Security Conference was supposed to be a foreign policy forum. Instead, the vice president lectured Europeans about democracy.
Presidents Should Not Ignore Court Rulings
Vice President J.D. Vance believes presidents can ignore the courts in some situations. Are we heading for a constitutional crisis?
How Political Ignorance Helped Cause the January 6 Attack and Trump's Subsequent Political Comeback
Voter ignorance and bias in evaluating political information were major factors in both.
Is America Entering Her Kakistocracy Era?
Rule by incompetent, power-hungry fools is a bipartisan problem.
Kay Granger, Like Joe Biden, Is a Symptom of America's Gerontocracy
The 81-year-old congresswoman has not voted since July, at which point she apparently moved into an eldercare facility.
South Korea Avoids a Return to the Bad Old Days
President Yoon Suk Yeol tried to go down a path trodden by past South Korean military dictators. The Korean people wouldn’t let him.
