Politics of the United States

October 19, 2018

Russell Kirk’s 100th Birthday

I’d like to join in the chorus of Russell Kirk memorials that have graced the PowerBlog these past few days to commemorate Kirk’s 100th birthday. Over at The Federalist today, I can only hint at the significant contributions Kirk wrote on behalf of conservatism, sound economics and Christian humanism. Continue Reading...

March 20, 2018

Mao’s ‘rational faith’: How communist China sought to replace God

In light of Greg Forster’s Acton lecture on Whittaker Chambers, the famous Soviet spy who later converted to Christianity, I recently noted Chambers’ routine reminders that communism is not, fundamentally, about a certain menu of economic theories or political tactics. Continue Reading...

September 20, 2017

Rev. Robert Sirico praises President Trump’s recent remarks about Venezuela

President and Co-Founder of the Acton Institute, Rev. Robert Sirico is quoted in an article published at Crux, praising President Trump for his remarks concerning Venezuela’s current social and economic state of chaos. Continue Reading...

March 01, 2017

Radio Free Acton: Samuel Gregg on the life and impact of Michael Novak

On this edition of Radio Free Acton, we speak with Acton Institute Director of Research Samuel Gregg about the life and impact of Michael Novak, who passed away on February 17, 2017. Continue Reading...

January 06, 2017

National debt is a real threat to America

If President-elect Donald Trump wants to make America great again, he needs to find a way to reduce the federal debt. Samuel Gregg, in a new article at the Stream, explains why this is so important. Continue Reading...

December 27, 2016

Thomas Sowell’s escape from socialism

Earlier today I mentioned that economist Thomas Sowell was retiring from writing his syndicated column. For decades Sowell, age 86, has been one of the leading thinkers in the libertarian and conservative circles. Continue Reading...

December 21, 2016

Calvin Coolidge on the spiritual power of Christmas

In his many addresses to the nation, President Calvin Coolidge made a point of routinely redirecting the country’s attention to the “things of the spirit.” In his Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, he encouraged the country to reorient its vision of abundance, progressing not only in material prosperity, but also “in moral and spiritual things.” Continue Reading...

November 14, 2016

How 2016 election turnout data encourages humility

The following graph, in various forms, is making the rounds: [Image removed.] The suggestion of the graph (and usually of commentary by those who share it) is that Sec. Hillary Clinton lost to President-elect Donald Trump because Democrats didn’t turn out to vote for her like they did for President Obama. Continue Reading...

November 10, 2016

Beware the post-election narratives

In his best-selling book The Black Swan, probabilist Nassim Nicholas Taleb warns against the need for easy narratives to explain the unexpected. Given how unexpected the result of this Tuesday’s election was, it is worth taking some time to review what Taleb calls “the narrative fallacy.” Continue Reading...

November 01, 2016

Video: Rev. Robert A. Sirico At Acton’s 26th Anniversary Dinner

On October 27, 2016, Acton Institute President Rev. Robert A. Sirico addressed the audience at the Acton Institute’s 26th Anniversary Dinner in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his remarks, he reflected on the state of American politics and culture, the societal crisis we find ourselves in, and proposed a way forward based on a vision of a free and virtuous society. Continue Reading...

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