By Oliver DeMille Paine versus Burke It is popular to describe the differences between two big divisions of each major political party. For example, Democrats are sometimes called cluster liberals (who “view politics as a battle between implacable opponents”) versus network liberals (who “believe progress is achieved by leaders savvy … [Read more...]
Overcoming the Agency Costs of Representative Government, Part 2
December 31, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By Kyle Roberts This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Read Part 1 here. The Power of the States Large-scale republics do not allow the people to effectively monitor their elected officials. The more people there are, the more issues follow. When issues increase it is harder for the people to create a stable majority to fight special … [Read more...]
Overcoming the Agency Costs of Representative Government, Part 1
December 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By Kyle Roberts One of the disadvantages of a republic is agency costs. The smaller the ratio between the people and their elected officials the more secure are the rights of the people. Conversely, the larger the ratio between the people and their elected officials the less secure are the rights of the people. This ratio and its … [Read more...]
The Age of Overseers: Technology, Politics, & the Future
December 29, 2010 by 1 Comment
by Oliver DeMille The rise of independents in American politics is a major trend that has drastically changed the political landscape. But why is it happening now? Are both major parties so bad now — indeed so much worse than they have ever been — that the majority of involved citizens just can’t stand them anymore? Actually, the parties … [Read more...]
Unalienable Rights: They Have Nothing to Do With Aliens
December 7, 2010 by 4 Comments
By Kyle Roberts In my constitution classes I always ask the participants to define a "right.” The catch is they have to do it without using the word “right.” In my experience, whenever people are talking about rights, it is always in the context of a right to something: a right to life, to bear arms, to liberty, to property, to freely … [Read more...]
Breaking Free of the Two-Party System, Part 2: Solutions
November 26, 2010 by 4 Comments
By Kyle Roberts This is part two of a two-part series. Read Part 1 here. There are two fundamental reasons why this system has so much power: The parties are intimately connected with government operation of elections—from filling vacancies, to making appointments, to placing candidates on the ballot, and controlling the choices … [Read more...]
Breaking Free From the Two-Party System, Part 1: The Extent of the Damage
November 25, 2010 by 3 Comments
By Kyle Roberts To preserve our freedom, the U.S. legal code must separate political parties from government, and citizens must learn to consider more than the Democratic and Republican parties. Republics throughout history have always been dominated by self-serving parties whose goals are adverse to the rights and combined interests of the … [Read more...]
Change?
November 15, 2010 by 4 Comments
By Shanon Brooks Recently, someone ask me if I was happy with the changes in Utah State government (6 more Republicans in the House and 1 more in the Senate). “What changes?” I said. “You know, the legislature is more conservative now.” “Really? When did that happen?” I inquired. “I only see a changing of the guard, new … [Read more...]
A Republic, If You Can Keep It
November 2, 2010 by 4 Comments
My adventure with the American election process began much like other young people entering college. Not certain who the candidates were, or even what they stood for, I voted with zeal but with little knowledge. As I gained more experience, through reading newspapers and magazines, I quickly fell into the democratic herd, who spout their … [Read more...]
15 Tough Questions For Political Candidates
October 22, 2010 by 3 Comments
Less than a month remains before the first Tuesday in November, and the current election cycle is finally beginning to peak. Many self-identified conservative commentators are breathlessly reminding us that "This is the most important election of our lifetimes" while they're busy helping set up the Republican Kool-Aid stand. Democrats seem … [Read more...]
