Topic: Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism, Classical Liberalism, History

Why Ordinary People Enable Totalitarians (Part II)

– December 14, 2023

“The best safeguard of liberty is societal support for a system that prevents abuses of power before individual acts of heroism are necessary.” ~Barry Brownstein

Authoritarianism, Economic History, Inflation

Why Ordinary People Enable Totalitarians, Part 1

– December 7, 2023

“After the First World War in Germany, peace came with hyperinflation, which obliterated all wealth. The bonds of civilization fray during hyperinflation.” ~Barry Brownstein

Art and Culture, Authoritarianism, International, Technology

TikTok: Five Cuts

– November 21, 2023

“Americans already have a license to engage in free speech, in the form of the First Amendment. And if you are thinking that the United States has a long history of anonymous, public speech, you’re right.” ~James Harrigan

Art and Culture, Authoritarianism, Environmentalism

Thinking About the Regulation of Industrial Emissions Differently, Part I

– November 20, 2023

“Production of the likes of tires, furniture, steel, speedy transportation, and air conditioning and home heating is surely good for humanity. But such production requires energy and it produces harmful by-products.” ~Donald J. Boudreaux

Authoritarianism, Books, Classical Liberalism, Philosophy

Can We Pass Adam Smith’s Finger Test?

– November 11, 2023

“We have allowed our institutions to be hijacked by illiberal authoritarians posing as humanists. Should it surprise us that morality is in short supply?” ~Barry Brownstein

Authoritarianism, Crisis, Regulation, Research

Leviathan Rising

– October 26, 2023

“Much of the growth of the SEC can be seen as a variation of the ‘Baptists and bootleggers’ story, where the SEC is the bootlegger earning bigger budgets by combining with people who believe that its nostrums protect investors, even when they do not.” ~Robert E. Wright

Authoritarianism, Environmentalism, Regulation

Badgers and Environmental Laws

– October 26, 2023

“As ever more stringent measures are taken to ‘curb climate change,’ for instance, ever more anger will erupt over their impositions. The days of distant elites toying with our lives, in other words, are numbered.” ~Paul Schwennesen

Art and Culture, Authoritarianism, Classical Liberalism, Philosophy

To Live for Grievances Risks Liberty

– October 19, 2023

“How many minor and major irritations and grievances occupy your thinking throughout the day? What do we sacrifice when our attention is centered on grievances?” ~Barry Brownstein

Authoritarianism, Free Trade, Inflation, Property Rights, Regulation

The FTC’s Case Against Amazon is a Case Against American Consumers

– October 9, 2023

“Even in an era of inflation, digital markets have had profoundly deflationary effects. Disassembling Amazon’s business model would almost surely dampen this trend.” ~David McGarry

Art and Culture, Authoritarianism, History, Philosophy

Are We Choosing “Living Truth” or “Dead Dogma”?

– October 6, 2023

“While the ranks of illiberal censors grow daily, John Stuart Mill’s impeccable logic reaches across time to refute arguments censors use to justify their authoritarian actions.” ~Barry Brownstein

Art and Culture, Authoritarianism

Three Questions for Dr. Fauci on His Alleged Secret Visit to CIA Headquarters

– October 4, 2023

“From the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a persistent government effort to silence and marginalize those who questioned NIH’s policies and conclusions.” ~Jon Miltimore

Art and Culture, Authoritarianism, History, Policy

Reaching Across the Aisle for the Bill of Rights: Learning from a Political Odd Couple

– September 29, 2023

“If Americans want to expand and guarantee protections for free speech, they can gain inspiration from the contributions of Republican Alfred Landon and Socialist Norman Thomas.” ~David Beito