CATEGORY: POLITICAL THEORY (7 min)
You've probably heard the term "common good conservatism."
In National Review, Andrew T. Walker suggests there’s an elephant in the room when it comes to conversations about the phrase . . .
Who gets to define “common good?”
Walker thinks there’s a lot to like about the resurgence of the term: its attentiveness to natural rights and human flourishing . . . and its understanding that government is limited by pre-political commitments to human good that it must recognize.
But, Walker argues, that question of definition is leading some conservatives to want an awful lot of power to be placed in the hands of the state.
Walker’s essay grabs the issue by the horns.
What do you think? What is your definition of "the common good?"
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CATEGORY: THE NEW ECONOMY (4 min)
Alexander Leishman has noticed something about movie villains recently.
In The American Mind, he argues that they are often portrayed as “power-mad government functionaries” who try to take over aspects of public life—by tyrannical means—for people's own good.
Remind you of anyone? Like a politician who uses emergency powers to seize private money from ordinary citizens to halt an inconvenient protest . . .
How can average citizens protect themselves from these threats of government tyranny?
Leishman has a suggestion—Bitcoin.
Because cryptocurrency is largely beyond regulation and surveillance, it protects us from the whims of Justin Trudeau and his cancel-happy ilk.
“Trudeau’s actions make a sterling case for why Bitcoin matters for free speech and free expression—because both speech and expression require the free movement of money.”
Note: Leishman isn’t offering financial advice (and neither are we!). But his article raises urgent questions about the relation between the free movement of money and political freedom.
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Because our student editors and writers are bravely bringing conservative ideas to their campuses, we’re highlighting their efforts here.
COVID Policies Push Stanford Students to the Right via the Stanford Review
Not Good Enough, Cornell via the Cornell Review
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CATEGORY: HISTORY (11 min)
Multiculturalism sounds wonderful, but it’s a brutally simplistic political idea.
For example, proponents of multiculturalism reduce Christopher Columbus to a caricature of a white capitalist oppressor, but as an Italian of the late medieval period, these categories would have been meaningless.
They also overlook the messy reality of many indigenous cultures, which often practiced cannibalism, rape, and even slavery.
At least one of these cultures even saw Columbus as a potential ally against oppression.
Robert Royal reveals the contradictions inherent in multiculturalism in this essay. If you enjoy myth busting, you’ll love this.
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ISI is excited to invite you to our second annual Homecoming Weekend!
Last year's inaugural event definitely lived up to its name—our beautiful 20-acre campus was buzzing with the energy of intelligent discussions and the vibrant community that ISI is known for.
And this year, we're doubling down to create an even greater experience for faculty, students, alumni, and friends of ISI.
You’re invited to join us as we gather once again at ISI's main campus near Wilmington, Delaware, on May 13—14 for our second annual Homecoming Weekend.
Highlights of Homecoming Weekend include:
- A Friday night dinner at Wilmington’s historic Hotel du Pont honoring the winner of ISI’s 2022 Conservative Book of the Year award, Victor Davis Hanson, for his book The Dying Citizen
- Additional Saturday Reunion Luncheons for Graduate Fellows; Honors Scholars and Society Leaders; and Collegiate Network Editors, Interns, and Fellows past and present to reconnect with their ISI friends
- Our ISI reunion conference Saturday afternoon featuring panels on the purpose of the liberal arts and the future of higher ed
- Saturday evening reception featuring food, live music, and dancing on ISI’s campus
This is your chance to experience what ISI has to offer as the top resource for conservative education and community.
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“Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still
Even among these rocks,
Our peace in His will
And even among these rocks”
—T. S. Eliot, Ash Wednesday
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Thank you for reading. Share with a friend!
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Who We Are, What We Do
Too many college students feel isolated or attacked for questioning the ever-narrowing range of debate on campus.
We introduce you to the American tradition of liberty and to a vibrant community of students and scholars so that you get the collegiate experience you hunger for.
Get the college experience you deserve—before you graduate.
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