It is extremely concerning and offensive to find Walmart and other retailers promoting what they call “cool shirts“ — bright red tees emblazoned with the Soviet hammer and sickle, says Mari-Ann Kelam in this week’s Acton Commentary. “Making light of the mitted under and in the name munism shows ignorance and callousness.” As an Estonian-American living in Europe, I am embarrassed and pained. It is impossible to explain such flippancy to people here, many of whom suffered munism. People are...

Note:This article is part of the ‘Principles Project,’ a list of principles, axioms, and beliefs that undergirda Christian view of economics, liberty, and virtue. Clickhereto read the introduction and other posts in this series. The Principle: #22A — Free markets are information systems designed for virtuous people. The Explanation:As a self-identified evangelical Christian, I share mon trait with all other self-identified evangelicals: we self-identify with the information system that goes by the name of evangelicalism. That tautology—the people who self-identify...

Acton’s Alejandro Chafuen weighed-in at Forbes on the new Hollywood movie about the arrest and eventual trial of Nazi Adolph Eichman, Operation Finale. The movie is more than a historical reenactment for Chafuen, who recounts in his essay that a notorious Nazi once inhabited the Argentine neighborhood where Chafuen lived for 30 years. The Nazi who lived close to my family, Joseph Mengele, has been credited for being extremely astute in evading capture and changing addresses just in time. But...

Earlier this week, during the confirmation hearing for Judge Brett Kavanaugh, Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse gave what David French calls a “short master class in civics and the role of the judiciary in the American constitutional republic.” This was the fourth point in Sen. Sasse’s 15 minute talk on “how we got here and how can we fix it.” To watch the entire brief speech, click here. ...

Today is a sad day here at the Acton Institute as we mourn the passing of a longtime friend and supporter, Richard M. DeVos. You can read Acton’s statement on his passing that was posted earlier, which sketches the basic outlines of his life for those who may not be familiar with him. But we also thought it appropriate to share the video posted below. It documents a portion of his address at Acton’s2010 Anniversary Dinner, where he became one...

Richard (Rich) M. DeVos exemplified the value of hard work, free enterprise and expansive philanthropy in building munities. The Acton Institute mourns the passing of DeVos, 92, who for decades was known for leadership in business, his dedication to the promotion of liberty, and his courage in maintaining and defending the free and virtuous society. “Rich DeVos never shrank from the conviction that the roots of liberty and the morally-charged life are to be found in the eternal truths of...

Note:This article is part of the ‘Principles Project,’ a list of principles, axioms, and beliefs that undergirda Christian view of economics, liberty, and virtue. Clickhereto read the introduction and other posts in this series. The Principle:#7D — Sin is a social contagion.(NB: This is a subset of theActon Core Principleon the Reality of Sin.) The Definitions: Sin — Rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing...

In the wake of massive economic disruption, many munities have been left by the wayside—whether due to technology, trade, or globalization. While rural factories have shuttered and farms have consolidated, job prospects and educational opportunities have abounded in America’s largest urban centers. Those shifts have brought plenty of benefits through an increased density of smarts, skills, and capital, but they’ve also introduced new risks, from the centralization of power to the fracturing of family munity to the diminishment of national...

Series Note: Jobs are one of the most important aspects of a morally functioning economy. They help us serve the needs of our neighbors and lead to human flourishing both for the individual and munities. Conversely, not having a job can adversely affect spiritual and psychological well-being of individuals and families. Because unemployment is a spiritual problem, Christians in America need to understand and be aware of the monthly data on employment. Each month highlight the latest numbers we need...

A poetic prayer (piyyut) recited on the Jewish New Year declares Rosh Hashanah (which is celebrated today) to be “awesome and terrible,” because “Your kingship is exalted upon it / Your throne is established in mercy / You are enthroned upon it in truth / In truth You are the judge.” But does the divine Judge have a standard of social justice that applies to economic affairs and the distribution of wealth? Curt Biren, who has studied the Hebrew Bible...