A novel by Richard John Neuhaus’ biographer is both an entertaining and theologically deft take on the consequences of the choices we all make as we seek the Good. Read More… In a cultural landscape that is often hostile—or at best indifferent—to religion, a popular and widely lauded novel whose plot focuses not only on matters of faith but also a main character whose worldview and identity is shaped entirely by his Catholicism is a rare occurrence. Randy Boyagoda, perhaps...

The prize for economics was awarded to three men whose work explained both the necessity and occasional failure of banks. If you thought you could do without the oft-demonized institution, you may want to think again. Read More… Earlier this month, Ben Bernanke, Douglas Diamond, and Philip Dybvig were awarded the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel. Bernanke, Diamond, and Dybvig were honored for their many contributions to our shared understanding of both the...

You may think Halloween is a silly celebration of the macabre and supernatural. But it may just be the most beautiful expression of the power of storytelling as a bulwark against evil. Read More… Halloween has somehow e a celebration of America ing American, a New World unlike the Old World, a place where horror is a literary or cinematic genre rather than a memory—the dimly recollected past stretching back millennia through seemingly endless suffering, man’s inhumanity to man, older...

Is anarcho-capitalism a “third way” to think about politics, economics, and social policy? Read More… Almost two-thirds of Americans believe that distrust of government is a major barrier to solving issues in public life. As we witness a marked decline of faith in both the government and the stability of our democracy, some are arguing that it’s the perfect time to take a serious look at the historic libertarian premise: Maybe government itself is the problem. While libertarianism has many...

The highly successful prequel to Game of Thrones has less sex but more immorality as two young career women pursue power in a man’s world. Criminality in pursuit of power is its own justification. Read More… I recently wrote about what e of Disney, whose new Pinocchio seems to be all about getting rid of morality as we have understood it. Instead of learning that actions have consequences and how to behave with a view to growing up, children are...

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, imagine you’re the one who’s been left by the side of the road. The change in perspective will work wonders for your sense of contingency—and generosity. Read More… From sociologists Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton’s worries over “moral therapeutic deism” in their 2005 book, to the Pew Research Center’s documentation of the growing trend of religious “nones” (people who claim no religious affiliation), mon claims that we now live in a “post-Christian”...

America condemns the recent “spurious fraud charges” and mitted to supporting the embattled pro-democracy activist and entrepreneur. Read More… One day after pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai was found guilty of fraud charges, the U.S. Department of State responded to the verdict, condemning its “spurious fraud charges” and noting increasing concerns about “deterioration in protection for human rights” under the Chinese Communist Party’s National Security Law (NSL). While the charges brought against Lai were reportedly related to lease violations, his prosecution...

The fight over “book banning” and who has the final word in a child’s education has taken some nasty turns of late. Everyone needs to take a step back and put the debate into monsense context. Read More… At its best, a democratic polity ought to deal well plexity, posed of clashing ideas and principles as well as the interests of multiple actors and stakeholders. Such a polity will seek proximate solutions that require constant fine-tuning. It will recognize trade-offs...

The pro-democracy advocate continues to suffer under the oppressive National Security Law, imposed by Beijing to crush dissent in Hong Kong. Read More… In a blow to free speech, pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai has been found guilty of fraud by a court in Hong Kong as China works to stamp out dissent. District Court judge Stanley Chan said mitted fraud by not revealing that he operated a consulting firm from the offices of his pany—a violation of his lease with...

When Mao died, so did his draconian and murderous policies. When Xi finally quits the world stage, can China change course in a more liberal direction? Read More… The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held its 20thnational congress to chart its future direction and anoint Xi Jinping as leader-for-life. At least that’s what Xi plans. Xi lauded his record, which,he insisted,has“ensured that the party will never change in quality, change its color, or change its flavor.” Under Xi, the CCP’s quality,...