Can We Help Save Democracy by Requiring Voters to Pass a Test of Political Knowledge?
Economist Dambisa Moyo is right to worry about the dangers of political ignorance. But her proposed solution for the problem falls short.
Democracy
My New Article on "Foot Voting, Decentralization, and Development"
This forthcoming article discusses how we can massively expand economic opportunity by making it easier for people to "vote with their feet," both domestically and through international migration.
Why We Shouldn't Give Special Credence to the Political Views of Young People and Victims
Recent events such as the student walkout to promote gun control raise the issue of how much credibility we should give to the political views of the young, and victims of crime. At least as a general rule, there is no reason to give those views any special credence.
'Democracy Vouchers' Help Incumbents, Establishment Candidates Coast to Victory
Seattle's vouchers, passed to give outsiders a leg up, instead act as campaign welfare for well-established candidates.
Catalonians Declare Independence, But Can They Hold It?
Rights are theoretical unless you can defend them.
Cyrus Vance Is a Product of Dangerous One-Party Rule
When elected officials regularly run unopposed, there's no democratic accountability.
Seattle's Democracy Voucher Program Sees Its First Fraud Investigation
The alleged fraud highlights the ways in which the controversial program has failed to help outsider candidates.
Seattle's 'Democracy Vouchers' Serve as Campaign Welfare for Well-Established Candidates
A program intended to empower voters has instead funneled public money to most organized and funded campaigns.
The Price of Press Bias
When the press tilts in favor of higher taxes and more regulation, democracy is indeed distorted.
Breaking Up California an Idea That Won't Go Away, For Good Reason
Californians would be better equipped to govern themselves fairly.
How Important Are Nonviolent Protests and Media Criticism in Preserving Democracy? Depends Which Party You Belong to!
Striking findings from Pew Research
Report Downgrades Quality of American Democracy, But Trump's Election Is Just a Symptom
Populism is a result of government's separation from its citizens over decades.
How Much Better Off Is the World Since You Were Born?
Go find out at "Your Life In Numbers" over at the Human Progress program at the Cato Institute
Against Democracy and Elitism
The people's best political framework is neither democracy nor epistocracy but original liberalism, or what we today call libertarianism.
Dumb Voters Needn't Mean a People Unable to Run Their Own Lives
A reminder from libertarian philosopher Jason Brennan, author of Against Democracy
Cops Can Stop Harassing People, if Voters and Politicians Stop Pushing Laws That Make Them
The power's with the people.
Cuba's Literacy Rate, Life Expectancy Nothing to Lionize
Dictatorships may value literacy as much as democracies, but they value life a lot less.
China Points to Donald Trump as an Example of Democracy
But he'd be a better fit for an autocracy
Donald Trump's Rise Shows That Immigrants Are Not the Big Threat to Limited Government
If Hispanic immigrants had backed a strongman, conservatives would have declared them a threat to freedom.
Political Freedom On the Rise Around the World Despite Naysayers
The next U.S. president doesn't need to try to set the world right.
Friday A/V Club: Fascism vs. Socialism vs. Communism vs. Democracy
Lawrence Dennis, Norman Thomas, A.J. Muste, and Raymond Moley debate the ideal social system.
The Case For Back-Room Deals, Party Hacks & Unlimited Money in Politics
Jonathan Rauch's Political Realism argues that libertarians should embrace "transactional politics" if they want big changes.
No, 'the System' Is Not Broken
Not getting what you want from the government isn't a sign of failure.
Donald Trump? WTF? Democracy Can Be Rough.
Libertarians have long warned that democracy might not be all it's cracked up to be.
America: At Least We're More Free Than Estonia!
United States ranks 20th in the Cato Institute's new freedom index.
Longtime Philly Rep. Chaka Fattah Indicted for Public Corruption
Fattah and others allegedly connected to five different corruption schemes.
On Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Massacre, Hong Kong's Occupy Protesters Fight Their Own Fight
The Umbrella Movement is focused on its own struggle, not mainland China's.
I Voted for Milton Street for Philadelphia Mayor Today
Philly Democrats essentially voting for the next mayor today
Thai Government Lifts Martial Law, In Favor of Unlimited Power for Military Junta Leader
Lessons from Thailand on wishing for stronger leaders.
Why Markets Matter More to Liberty Than Elections
Real freedom means doing what you choose as an individual and not waiting for the rest of society to vote on whether you can.
Does the Constitution Still Matter?
Americans right and left tend to give up on the Constitution whenever it gets in the way of policies they like.
Please Don't Vote
The biggest fans of "democracy" treat this orgy of vacuous lever pulling as if it were sacred or patriotic. It's neither.
Clashes Break Out in Hong Kong
Supporters of China's rule take on pro-democracy protesters
Democracy and Ferguson
Black residents of Ferguson should have no trouble figuring out the message here: Some would rather they vote than protest. Some would be even happier if they did neither.
Contemporary Democracy Is a Fraud
Once it grows to a certain size, so-called democratic government begins to soften and weaken the people.
