China Eases 'Zero-COVID' Policies After Nearly 3 Years of Harsh Lockdowns
The long-term economic and social impacts of zero-COVID can't be reversed as easily.
Authoritarianism
China's COVID Lockdowns Once Inspired Western Officials; They Should Listen to Protesters Instead
Given the harms caused, lessons should be learned from China’s people, not its government.
It's Bodies vs. the State
Plus: The editors ponder the lack of women’s pants pockets in the marketplace.
'We Want Freedom': Chinese Protests Reflect Frustration With Country's Continuing COVID Restrictions
Plus: Reason's holiday gift guide, a possible new antitrust suit against Microsoft, and more...
The Pandemic Is Over, Except When Politicians Need It To Justify Their Plans
Plus: A questionable consensus on autism treatment, Fauci to be deposed in social media case, and more...
The Qatar World Cup Is a Celebration of Authoritarianism
By consenting to Qatar's illiberal policies for residents and guests alike, FIFA has further besmirched its already tainted reputation.
A New Authoritarian Political Style Is on the Ballot in Ohio
The most jarring thing about Senate candidate J.D. Vance is how open he is about rejecting the rule of law.
Americans Oppose Big Government, Unless Their Party Is in Power
Supporting restraints on government only for your opponents is a recipe for continued conflict.
Iran's Hijab Protests Are Part of a Long, Slow Revolution
Plus: A bevy of bad economic indicators, Italy elects right-wing populist Giorgia Meloni, and more...
Both Left and Right Are Converging on Authoritarianism
The problem with American politics isn't polarization—it's rising illiberalism.
The Queen Is Dead. Anarchy in the U.K.?
Plus: The editors respond to a question about the Forward Party.
Maybe a Ceremonial Monarchy Can Show the Way to a Less Powerful State
The real danger to citizens is the use of coercive government power, no matter how it’s named.
Biden's Disturbing Speech Outside Independence Hall
Plus: The editors answer a question from a U.S. House candidate.
In Philadelphia, Joe Biden Peddled a Competing Brand of Authoritarianism
The current president becomes what he criticizes by delegitimizing opposition.
Glenn Greenwald on the Deep State, Capitalism, and Identity Politics
"One of the things that the left and right have in common is an awareness that our government has essentially been co-opted by corporate power," says the Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist.
Glenn Greenwald on Tucker Carlson, Chelsea Manning, Russia, and Big Tech
"The kind of values I've always embraced are heard more on Fox than on CNN and MSNBC, where they're not welcome."
Glenn Greenwald: Tucker Carlson, Left-Wing Authoritarians, Identity Politics, and Free Speech
''The kind of values I've always embraced are heard more on Fox than on CNN and MSNBC," says the Pulitzer Prize–winning progressive journalist.
Elected Leaders Daydream About Being Dictators. They Shouldn't.
"If government is big enough to give you anything, it's big enough to take everything away from you."
Only the Constitution Stands Between Us and Shanghai-Style Lockdowns
It would be a mistake to see these lockdowns as a foreign oddity to be pitied and tweeted.
Shanghai Authorities Say Normal Life Might Resume in Mid-June. COVID Lockdown Started in March.
China's "COVID zero" policy looks a lot like house arrest for Shanghai's 25 million residents who are only just now beginning to experience glimmers of freedom.
Don't Oppose Russian Authoritarianism With More Authoritarianism
Supporting Ukraine in its battle against Russia doesn’t justify restrictions on speech and commerce.
The Decline and Fall of the Oath Keepers
How Stewart Rhodes went from denouncing authoritarianism to urging an authoritarian crackdown
The Pandemic Killed Dissent in Hong Kong
Every June since 1990, residents had held a vigil for the Tiananmen Square dead. But in 2020, Hong Kong announced an extension of social distancing restrictions until June 5, the day after the anniversary.
El Salvador Detains 17,000 'Suspected Gang Members' Without Due Process
President Nayib Bukele extends “state of emergency” for El Salvador—allowing the police to continue to mass arrest people for little, if any, reason.
France's Authoritarian Establishment Faces Off Against the Even Uglier Authoritarianism of the Far Right
French President Emmanuel Macron is authoritarian-light. Candidate Marine Le Pen is worse.
Shanghai's Lockdowns Result in Starvation and Quarantine Enforcers Being Attacked
More than 25 million people remain locked down in Shanghai, with Guangzhou—a city of 18 million—looking primed to follow.
Under COVID Lockdown, Shanghai's People Are Running Out of Food and Meds While Pets Get Killed in the Streets
As officials forcibly separate parents from their COVID-positive children, criticism of the CCP mounts.
No, We Don't Need To Become More Like Putin To Contain Him
Illiberalism in the defense of liberalism is a vice.
Your Favorite Crisis Doesn't Justify a Dictatorship
Authoritarianism grows increasingly popular, with environmentalists among the greatest enthusiasts.
Trudeau Took a Page From Obama When He Froze Protesters' Bank Accounts
When governments can de-bank you, you are not really free.
Justin Trudeau's Crackdown Will Make Bitcoin and Cash More Popular
There’s no freedom if the state can separate us from our money.
Canada's Panicked Government Engages in Undemocratic Theft
Apparently the rule of law doesn’t matter if Justin Trudeau doesn’t like your peaceful protest.
Canadian Banks Prepared To Make Un-Persons of Protesters, at Government Demand
Our gentle neighbor to the North rushes toward grim authoritarianism.
In 2022, Pay Attention to Right-Wing Authoritarianism
For decades, libertarians have focused on illiberalism coming from the political left. But authoritarianism has taken root among many conservatives across the world.
This Year Wasn't as Bad as 2020, But We Deserve Better
It sucked for avoidable reasons.
COVID-19 Made Democracies More Authoritarian and Authoritarian Regimes Even Worse
A new report says many democracies have taken steps that are "disproportionate, unnecessary, or illegal" to curb COVID.
Trump's Tariffs Didn't Work. Biden's Won't Work Either.
They favor special interests, hurt consumers, and have utterly failed to rein in China.
We Have Vaccines. We Don't Need Pandemic Restrictions.
Denmark recently lifted all COVID mandates. The U.S. should do the same.
Way Too Many People Want an All-Powerful President
Rather than fighting for power, Americans should ignore each other and go about their lives.
J.D. Vance Says Government Should Seize Assets of Political Nonprofits
Plus: Fusionism, OnlyFans, and more...
Stealthily Wielding Caesar's Sword
Sohrab Ahmari's case for tradition conceals an authoritarian agenda.
Oppressive Regimes Reach Beyond Their Borders
Fleeing isn't enough to keep dissenters safe from tyranny.
Freedom Becomes a Long-Haul COVID Victim
Emergency measures to deal with the crisis are likely to linger long after COVID-19 is gone.
NYT: Tech Crackdowns Are Only Bad When Other Countries Do Them
By invoking the magic of good intentions, the Times justifies the U.S. acting like Russia and China.
Dump Pandemic-Era Authoritarianism and Let Capitalism Rebuild Prosperity
Free people and free markets reduced poverty in the past and are capable of doing so again.
Biden's Orders Continue the Presidency's Slide Toward Elective Monarchy
If the refusal of lawmakers to enact a president's policies is justification for unilateral executive action, then a slide toward elective monarchy is inevitable.
