Political Theory

The television show "West Wing" may be a marvel of acting and moving photography, but it is the worst form of political propaganda. William Anderson deconstructs the messages. 

History is never as clear-cut as it is taught in public schools, but in this instance, something very strange is afoot. Tibor Machan discusses new revelations on nineteenth-century American history. 

The problem of "payola" has been much in the headlines recently. And yet, little has been done to isolate and unravel the complex legal, moral, and economic issues involved.

We are continually told that democracies guard against war. But that view abstracts from the U.S. imperial experience. James Ostrowski compares the rhetoric to the reality.

The teachings of Carl Menger and Ludwig von Mises offer the answer to those who say we should dismantle civilization to meet the supposed needs of nature. A very powerful speech by George Reisman.

Michael Prowse of the Financial Times was a Misesian. Then he read Durkheim and saw new light. Martin Masse explains why this now-famous conversion was wholly unnecessary.

The writings of the great French economist explain why the recent conflict with China has ended through diplomacy and peace rather than belligerence and war, writes Llewellyn Rockwell.

Think about it: a major motion-picture, "Enemy at the Gates," that dares to lump nazis and communists into one reprehensible leftist dung-heap. Lawrence Reed wonders if he is dreaming. 

Most readers of this journal will, I suspect, find the arguments of David Schmidtz much more congenial than those of his coauthor in this discussion of welfare.

President Bush stands accused of using his supposedly superhuman powers to drive us into recession. William Anderson wonders whether he will also be accused of casting spells to bring down the Dow.