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.
Democracy
Should We Lower the Voting Age to Six?
British political scientist David Runciman says the answer is "yes." And he makes a stronger case than you might think.
Forthcoming Revised Edition of my Book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom" [Updated with Corrected Oxford Univ. Press Discount Code]
The revised edition addresses several new issues including arguments that migration must be restricted to curtail the spread of dangerous diseases, such as Covid-19, claims that immigration might generate a political backlash that threatens democracy, and the impact of remote work on foot voting.
Anthony Downs, RIP
One of the greatest political economists of the 20th century passed away earlier this month.
Bernie Sanders Thinks 48 Senators Make a Majority
The Senate's leading progressive seems to misunderstand the basic math of American democracy.
My National Affairs Article on "Voting With Our Feet"
The article explains how expanding opportunities for foot voting can enhance political choice, help the poor and disadvantaged, and reduce the dangers of political polarization.
Do Voter ID Laws Suppress Minority Turnout? A Soho Forum Debate
NYU's Eliza Sweren-Becker debates Hans von Spakovsky of The Heritage Foundation
Do Voter ID Laws Undermine the Democratic Process or Ensure Trustworthy Elections?
NYU's Eliza Sweren-Becker debates Hans von Spakovsky of The Heritage Foundation
Cato Unbound Symposium on "Immigration and Institutions"
The symposium includes contributions by Ben Powell, Peter Skerry, Eric Kaufman, and me.
Are Voter ID Laws Antidemocratic and/or Unconstitutional?
A puzzle about the former; an argument about the latter
The Real Enemies of Democracy
Putting criticisms of the Senate, Electoral College, and Supreme Court in perspective.
My New Article on "Migration and Self-Determination"
The article, which is available free on SSRN, criticizes claims that governments have a right to exclude migrants based on various theories of self-determination.
Society Is Richer and More Accepting, Thanks to Libertarian Ideas
And yet neither Democrats nor Republicans represent those principles.
Ilia Reviews a Book by Ilya
Specifically, political scientist Ilia Murtazashvili has published a review of my book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom," in a leading political economy journal.
Americans Reject Republicans and Democrats in Record Numbers
Plus: More Cuomo allegations, the "cult of now," the state budget apocalypse that wasn't, and more...
Biden Administration Revokes Trump Changes to Citizenship Test for Immigrants
The previous administration had made some reasonable changes, but also introduced questions based on factual errors and questionable normative assumptions smuggled in under the guise of factual knowledge.
Happy 100th Birthday, John Rawls!
Today is the 100th birthday of the most influential political philosopher of the second half of the twentieth century.
My New Article on "Freedom Through Foot Voting"
The article adapts and expands some of the ideas developed in my recent book "Free to Move," and is now available for free download on SSRN.
It's Not Just Trump. California Labor Unions Are Trying To Reverse the Outcome of an Election Too.
California Democrats and their labor union allies are embracing anti-democratic principles to thwart the will of the people.
Capitol Police Failed To Contain a Riot, Then Killed a Woman in the Chaos
Yesterday's events at the Capitol building should be understood as a colossal law enforcement failure.
Trump Tweets About Mike Pence's Betrayal While His Supporters Force the V.P. To Evacuate the Capitol
Pence had been presiding over the tally of Electoral College votes before rioters broke into the Capitol Building, forcing him to flee.
Crackdown: 53 Dissidents Arrested in Hong Kong
China accused the activists and former legislators of "subverting state power."
Perils of Trump's Conspiracy-Mongering About the Election
His promotion of far-fetched conspiracy theories about the election is highly unlikely to change the results. But it is damaging, nonetheless.
Junk Science Alert: Washington Post Says Data Prove the GOP Has Grown More Authoritarian But Democrats Have Not
Trump is a wannabe despot, but let's not pretend the other side is flawless.
Does Biden Have a Mandate? Should it Matter?
Like almost every newly elected president, Joe Biden claims he has a mandate. But does he? And should we care?
My "Jurist" Article on Expanding Freedom of Choice by Empowering More People to Vote With their Feet
The combination of foot voting and decentralization of power can offer people more and better choices than are available at the ballot box.
Is there a Moral Duty to Vote in an Election Where the Stakes are Unusually High?
There could be in some situations. But less often than many assume. And, ironically, the same reasoning suggests many people would have a duty NOT to vote in such cases.
Why Biden is a Lesser Evil than Trump
Both candidates have serious flaws. But a Trump victory would be a much greater evil than the alternative.
My LA Times Op Ed on Why the Constitution Requires Including Undocumented Immigrants in House Reapportionment Counts
The issue is currently before the Supreme Court in the case of Trump v. New York.
Video of My University of Virginia Talk About my Book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom"
The event was sponsored by the Miller Center for Public Affairs.
Asked About a Peaceful Transfer of Power, Trump Says 'We're Going to Have To See What Happens'
Trump's garbled response probably wasn't a sign he's planning to subvert the election. But it was a failure of presidential competence.
Gun Control Puts Your Life at Risk
In the 20th century, far more people were murdered by genocidal governments than by armed criminals.
Cato Unbound Symposium on the 50th Anniversary of "Exit, Voice, and Loyalty" Continues
Adam Thierer, author of the lead essay, has a response to his critics.
Justifying a Moral Duty to Vote is a Lot Harder than You Might Think
Political philosopher Jason Brennan explains why.
Is the Senate Filibuster a 'Jim Crow Relic' That Should Be Abolished in the Name of Democracy?
Politicians' opinions about the maneuver depend on which party is in power.
Upcoming Cato Institute Virtual Book Forum on my New Book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom"
The event will be held on August 13, and is free and open to the public.
Boulder Refuses To Lift the Cap on Unrelated People Living Together. Housing Advocates Plan To Sue the City.
The Bedrooms Are For People campaign would repeal the city's existing limits on unrelated people living in the same house.
Designing Institutions that Promote Foot Voting and Minimize Potential Downsides
Fifth and final post in a series based on my new book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom"
Addressing Common Objections to Migration Rights
Fourth in a series of posts based on my new book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom."
Three Types of Foot Voting
Third in a series of posts based on my new book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom."
Cato Institute "Free Thoughts" Podcast About My Book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom"
The interview was conducted by Trevor Burrus and Aaron Ross Powell of the Cato Institute.
How Foot Voting Promotes Political Freedom Better than Ballot Box Voting
Second in a series of posts based on my new book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom"
Audio of Federalist Society Teleforum on My Book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom"
The event includes questions and commentary by Northwestern University law Professor John McGinnis
Introduction to my Book "Free to Move" Now Available for Free on SSRN
The Introduction summarizes the book's argument and provides an outline of the chapters that follow.
My New Book "Free to Move" - And Why I Wrote it
The first in a series of posts based on my book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom"
Audio Edition of My Book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration, and Political Freedom"
It is now available for preorder, and will be delivered by June 23.
Upcoming Federalist Society Teleforum on My Book "Free to Move: Foot Voting, Migration and Political Freedom"
The event will include commentary by Prof. John McGinnis (Northwestern).
Part II of Interview About my Book "Free to Move" with Yale Law Professor Jack Balkin
It is now up on his Balkinization blog.
