December 2023
Future of our Enemies
Lately the news has been filled with dire reports about the strength of China as an adversary and the always looming threat of Russia. It is certainly true that both are active with hostile moves today. Both are dictatorships and both are engaged in efforts to damage the liberal democracies, the US, western Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the illiberal democracies (Hungary, Latin America, Africa).
One bit of good news: one illiberal democracy, Poland, recently more...
Minorities that Benefit Democracy
Democracy is based on the free and fair election of majority rule. In autocracies, minorities rule: either a dictator or a minority party. However, another element of democracies is gradual change, usually proposed by a minority recognized over time as right. How else can we account for the changes that western civilization has experienced over time.
Slavery, for example, was considered a universal institution for centuries. Different civilizations practiced it in different ways. more...
Slavery, for example, was considered a universal institution for centuries. Different civilizations practiced it in different ways. more...