October 2016 Archives

October 21, 2016

Love Gov and the unintended consequences of ‘good intentions’

Despite the partisan rhetoric that tends to dominate in America, most of us realize that, for all our disagreements, our neighbors often have the best of intentions. But when it comes to public policy, good intentions are not enough to create human flourishing. Continue Reading...

October 21, 2016

The paradox of flourishing: Where authority and vulnerability meet

In our discussions about politics, society, and culture, the vocabulary of “human flourishing” has become increasingly popular, moving dangerously close to the status of blurry buzzword. Yet at its best, the term captures the connective tissue between the material and the transcendent, the immediate and the eternal, pointing toward a holistic prosperity that accounts for the full complexity of the human person. Continue Reading...

October 20, 2016

Explainer: What did the presidential candidates say about the economy?

Last night Chris Wallace moderated the third and final debate of this presidential season. Many commentators have remarked that it was the most substantial policy debate of the year. But because of the interruptions and recriminations, it can be difficult to ascertain exactly what each candidate was proposing. Continue Reading...

October 20, 2016

C. S. Lewis on selfishness vs. self-interest

C.S. Lewis wrote much about the tension between self-interest and selfishness, offering renewed clarity on these topics, says Art Lindsley. To Lewis, there is a huge difference between self-interest and selfishness, and there is a proper place for self-interest in our lives: When Lewis first came to faith, he did not think about eternal life, but focused on enjoying God in this life. Continue Reading...

October 19, 2016

Economic freedom and economic harmony

This is a guest post by Philip Booth, Professor of Finance, Public Policy and Ethics, St. Mary’s University, Twickenham; Academic and Research Director, Institute of Economic Affairs. Booth will be speaking in London on Dec. Continue Reading...

October 19, 2016

How to explain the entitlement crisis to an 8-year-old

During tonight’s presidential candidate debate, Trump and Clinton should (but almost surely won’t) address America’s entitlement crisis. If they need some help to explain it to the public they can use this video, based on Nicholas Eberstadt’s book, A Nation of Takers, which provides a Seussian tale about the dangerous dependency of entitlements and the importance of liberty. Continue Reading...

October 19, 2016

A ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ for family and civil society

While the federal government’s “war on poverty” achieved some progress towards meeting basic material needs, says Ray Nothstine in this week’s Acton Commentary, it has no answers to the deeper dilemma of dependency and hopelessness faced by many Americans. Continue Reading...

October 18, 2016

Video: Benjamin Domenech on the rise of American populism

On October 13, the fall 2016 Acton Lecture Series continued with a timely address from Benjamin Domenech, publisher of The Federalist and host of The Federalist Radio Hour, who spoke on the rise of American populism. Continue Reading...

October 18, 2016

Few Americans who work full-time are in poverty

“No one in America should be working 40 hours a week and living below the poverty level,” said Joe Biden last year, “No one. No one.” That’s a sentiment I share with the vice president. Continue Reading...

October 18, 2016

Hurricane Matthew: disaster relief becoming the permanent model

Hurricane Matthew has come and gone, but it has left one country, Haiti, in ruins. Just like in the aftermath of many disasters, we will see a flood of emergency aid and disaster relief pour into this country; Many have good intentions and a strong desire to help. Continue Reading...