The hottest Political theory Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Philosophy Topics

The republican tradition from Aristotle to Madison

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Classical Liberalism Scholarship
  1. Aristotle's political ideas have influenced a long line of thinkers, including Machiavelli and America's Founding Fathers.
  2. Republican thinkers like Cicero, Machiavelli, and Montesquieu emphasized the importance of civic virtue in a republic's success.
  3. The dynamics between republicanism and liberalism have played a significant role in shaping American political thought, as seen in the U.S. Constitution.

Can Democracy Be Improved?

The Apéritif • 0 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Elections Political theory Voting Rights Political participation
  1. Democracy is facing challenges in America, and improving the voting system could help. It's important to encourage knowledgeable and competent people to participate in politics.
  2. Many voters lack the information needed to make informed choices, which can lead to poor decision-making. One suggested solution is to introduce a quiz that measures basic political knowledge for all voters.
  3. Changing how we approach democracy could lead to better representation and choices. By prioritizing informed voting, we can work towards a political system that really reflects what people want.

A Critique of Bryan Caplan

Something to Consider • 0 implied HN points • 08 Mar 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policy Debate Political theory Public Opinion Effective Altruism Social Issues
  1. It's important to focus on convincing people about policies rather than creating divisions. If the goal is to help the poor, we shouldn't insult those who disagree with us.
  2. Critiquing others can be done without undermining the main message. Avoiding unnecessary negative comments can help keep the conversation productive.
  3. Sharing ideas should be done in a way that allows for open discussion, especially with those who may disagree. This helps everyone consider different viewpoints.

Israel/Palestine: The Other Side of Statehood

Moral Mayhem Podcast • 0 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics International relations Conflict Studies Human Rights Political theory
  1. The Israel-Palestine conflict has complex moral issues that deserve more attention. It's not just about politics but also about human rights and dignity.
  2. The idea of Palestinian statehood raises questions about balancing self-determination with the well-being of individuals. It’s important to think about how these choices impact future generations.
  3. Understanding different perspectives in this conflict can lead to better solutions. Listening to all sides is key to finding common ground.
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Congress, Fix the Succession Act

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Government Succession Crisis Management Political theory
  1. The current Succession Act can create confusion during a crisis, as it lacks clear definitions for who can act as president and under what circumstances.
  2. Removing legislative officials from the line of succession and allowing the president to decide the order of cabinet succession would help stabilize the process.
  3. It's important to make these changes proactively rather than reactively because waiting for a crisis can lead to serious issues in government continuity.

Justin Amash is Not a Template Easily Copied

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 23 May 19
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Congress Elections Legislation Political theory Political Analysis
  1. Justin Amash is a unique politician who acts on his principles, but not every member of Congress can follow his example. It’s tough to be a principled leader when you also have to get elected.
  2. Most politicians prioritize re-election over doing what's perceived as the right thing. Local interests often clash with national goals, making it hard for them to seek broader policies.
  3. OLC opinions and IRS memos aren't laws; they're just arguments. They can influence decisions, but they don’t bind Congress or the executive branch.

FIVE POINTS: Frosted Flakes of Scorn

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 17
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Congress Political culture Electoral Politics Political theory
  1. 1. Passing a congressional budget resolution isn't that big of a deal. It sets some spending limits, but it doesn't actually cut spending or guarantee any laws will pass.
  2. 2. The work environment in Congress can be tough for young women, highlighting the need to address sexual harassment issues in that unique culture.
  3. 3. Senator Jeff Flake is well-liked for his kindness and politeness. Even though he's stepping down, many will miss his respectful approach to politics.

Book Recommendation: Every Twelve Seconds

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 12
📚 Literature Book Reviews Political theory Narrative Nonfiction Ethnography Social Issues
  1. The book 'Every Twelve Seconds' explores the harsh realities of industrial slaughterhouses and aims to provoke thought about hidden violence in society. It shows how people often ignore the process behind their food.
  2. Tim Pachirat provides a detailed and immersive experience of working in a slaughterhouse, capturing both technical aspects and emotional impacts. Readers start to understand how workers cope with the brutal environment.
  3. The book also discusses the role of USDA inspectors, revealing a complex relationship where regulations become part of the production process rather than a safeguard for quality. This creates a cat-and-mouse game affecting the safety of meat production.

DC statehood and political self-interest: Where are the flag makers?

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 22 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Federalism Lobbying
  1. DC statehood could mean a lot of flags need to be replaced, which has a big impact on flag manufacturers. If DC becomes a state, every flag in the country would have to change.
  2. Most people decide political issues based on self-interest, especially economic factors. This means statehood movements often don’t get support since many don’t see clear benefits for themselves.
  3. Flag manufacturers could actually have a powerful reason to push for statehood. They might want to lobby for states to be added regularly, turning it into a profitable business opportunity.

Counterfactuals, Consequences, and Election Importance

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 20 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political History Political theory Consequentialism
  1. Elections are often labeled the 'most important', but some are truly more significant than others. It's helpful to compare them using different criteria, like the changes they brought about.
  2. Understanding what is 'important' versus what is 'consequential' helps clarify elections' effects. 'Important' events shape outcomes, while 'consequential' events influence timing or method without changing the end result.
  3. Two notable elections in American history are 1800 and 1860. The 1800 election was crucial for establishing a democracy, while the 1860 election led to expected tensions and conflict, showing how sometimes the less dramatic event can be more important.

No Sense in Fighting This Meme...

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 16 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Public Opinion Civic engagement Political Behavior
  1. Memes are powerful and can spread quickly. It's often better to embrace them than to fight against them.
  2. Trying to resist a popular meme can lead to more negativity. It's usually a waste of energy to push back.
  3. Understanding and engaging with memes can lead to better communication and connection with others. It's important to be aware of their impact.

Tie Goes to the...

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Constitution Political parties Legislation Political theory
  1. An electoral college tie could lead to a situation where the House of Representatives picks the President. This means that any qualified candidate could potentially become President if there’s a tie.
  2. Electors could strategically decide to vote for a third candidate to create a three-way race, leading to unexpected outcomes. This could be a way for some candidates to gain advantages depending on their party's control.
  3. The idea of electors shedding their votes creates a chaotic election scenario, where almost anyone could become President, making the whole process quite uncertain and unpredictable.

In this world but not of this world

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 12 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Presidency Congress Political Dynamics Governance
  1. The President has a different job than Congress members, needing to achieve goals quickly because they serve a maximum of eight years. This often leads to frustration with the slower pace of Congress.
  2. Unlike Congress members, the President must focus on winning important votes and achieving results to justify their role. This creates a pressure that can lead to risky decisions for quick victories.
  3. The unique position of the President can make them feel isolated in Washington, as their goals and strategies often clash with the longer-term approaches of other political actors.

Ready Steady Stoned

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political History Elections Political theory Bipartisanship
  1. It's often thought that not renominating an unpopular president can help a party, but history shows it usually doesn't lead to success. Popularity tends to be closely tied between the president and the party.
  2. Historical claims need to be contextualized. The idea that there has never been a clear successor is not true; there have been various obvious candidates in history.
  3. Dropping out of a race isn't always a noble choice. Sometimes it's simply about recognizing the inability to win rather than stepping aside for the good of the party.

Required Reading

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 30 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Analysis Public Opinion Media Critique Political theory
  1. Drew Westen's piece in the New York Times received a lot of criticism for being inaccurate. It's important to check facts when discussing political topics.
  2. Many people, including John Sides and Jon Bernstein, have shared their thoughts against Westen's views. Different perspectives can help us understand the bigger picture.
  3. Matt Glassman aims to add his own analysis of Westen's understanding of politics. Sharing opinions is key to engaging discussions about political ideas.

Flattened

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 25 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Tax policy Political theory Government reform Taxation Public Opinion
  1. Flat tax proposals often benefit the rich and hurt the middle class, making them unpopular and unlikely to pass.
  2. Simplicity in taxes doesn't only come from a flat tax; current tax systems can also be simplified without losing their structure.
  3. A progressive tax with fewer brackets and no deductions could be as simple as a flat tax and might be more widely accepted.

Posterior Perry-bility: A (semi-serious) Bayesian update of Rick Perry

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 13 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Analysis Campaigns Polling Political theory
  1. Rick Perry's chances of becoming the GOP nominee have dropped after performing poorly in four debates.
  2. Bayesian analysis shows that his updated probability of being the nominee is now 24%, down from 39%.
  3. The discussion raises questions about how to accurately assess someone's debate performance and its impact on their nomination chances.

On Unusual Occupations

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 03 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social movements Protests Political theory Libertarianism Activism
  1. People are wondering what the Occupy Wall Street movement really stands for, as it seems to lack specific demands. Many participants feel frustrated about job opportunities despite their education, which suggests they come from a more privileged background.
  2. There are similarities between Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party, mainly in their shared distrust of banks and government. However, Occupy Wall Street feels more like a loose group without clear goals, making it less likely to achieve real change.
  3. Liberals tend to romanticize movements like Occupy Wall Street while conservatives often dismiss them. The landscape of protest isn't just for liberals anymore; conservatives have their own movements that use similar tactics.

In (partial) defense of less democracy

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy Legislation Governance Political theory
  1. Democracy is generally the best form of government we have, but it's not perfect. While it's better than other systems, it often has flaws and can be complicated.
  2. There are situations where democracy might not be the best choice, like long-term planning or during wars. In some cases, more centralized decision-making could be more effective.
  3. Democracy and majoritarianism are not the same. You can have a system that is democratic but still requires a lot of agreement among people, which can slow down decision-making.

On the credibility of veto threats

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Legislative Process Presidential Power Bipartisanship
  1. A veto threat from the President may not be credible when Congress supports the legislation with both parties, making it hard for the President to actually veto it. If a bill has a lot of support from Democrats, it seems like there's a strong agreement, and this weakens the threat of a veto.
  2. The rules set by the Budget Control Act create a chance for a bill that the President doesn't like to pass, making veto threats more believable in this situation. This means the President could potentially influence the process by threatening a veto if the legislation leans too conservative.
  3. If Congress takes actions that are seen as irresponsible, it could lead to a situation where the President would have a strong reason to veto. This might happen if Congress tries to block cuts that were agreed upon, giving the President a chance to position himself as the responsible one.

On Courage

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jul 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Elections Public Policy Legislation
  1. People often think politicians lack courage when they don't support unpopular policies. But the reality is that voters usually don't want those policies, so politicians respond to their preferences.
  2. Many people who criticize politicians for not being brave wouldn't personally make the same sacrifices. It's tough to expect someone to risk their job for a policy they might not fully believe in.
  3. 'Political courage' is often used as a way to blame politicians when policies don't align with certain people's views. It might be more about understanding the political environment and voter opinions.

Broken Windows

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics Public Policy Political theory Disaster Response Wealth Distribution
  1. Destruction does not create wealth; it only redistributes what already exists. So, if something is destroyed, we don't end up with more overall value.
  2. While rebuilding after a disaster might temporarily boost certain economic indicators, it doesn't mean the total wealth has increased. It's just replacing what's lost, not adding more.
  3. Using GDP to measure economic growth after a disaster can be misleading because it doesn't account for the negative impacts of the destruction. It can give a false impression of prosperity.

Cold Fusion

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political parties History Voting Systems Political theory
  1. The 1860 Presidential election was unique because there were four candidates from three different parties, leading to a split vote. Lincoln won mainly in the North while the other candidates divided votes in the South.
  2. Fusion voting allows different candidates from the same party to share electors, which could help defeat a stronger opponent. In 1860, candidates could have coordinated better to combine votes against Lincoln but didn't due to chaos and personal conflicts.
  3. Successful fusion in 1860 might have changed the election's outcome and could have created a new way to handle party rivalries today. If electors from different candidates had coordinated, they could have won key states.

More on ending state marriage...

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 11 Aug 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Civil Rights Political theory Legal Reform Social justice
  1. Human relationships exist independently of the government. People should have the freedom to form relationships without worrying about government approval or judgment.
  2. Government benefits for marriage create unfair advantages and discriminate against those in different kinds of relationships. Ending these benefits would promote true equality for all types of partnerships.
  3. Instead of extending marriage benefits to more relationships, it's better to eliminate all government involvement in marriage. This would treat all intimate relationships the same and remove favoritism.

Swinging on America's J-Curve

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 04 Jun 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Fiscal policy Political theory Democracy Public Sentiment Long-term Planning
  1. America's political problems stem from a J-Curve, where you need to accept short-term pain for long-term gain. It's hard for democracy to handle this because people often don't want to suffer now for a better future.
  2. Politicians often avoid talking about tough issues like tax increases or spending cuts because they fear losing their jobs. Voters typically favor immediate benefits, so politicians give them what they want.
  3. To solve America's fiscal issues, we need to make some tough choices: cut military spending, reduce entitlements, or raise taxes. There aren’t easy, painless solutions, and ignoring the problem won't make it go away.

Why I oppose echo chambers

Theory Matters • 0 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Social media Public Discourse Political polarization Media influence
  1. Echo chambers can limit our perspectives. It's important to hear different opinions, as this helps us understand others better.
  2. Social media is a powerful tool, but how we use it matters. Choosing to only see certain viewpoints might make it harder to engage in meaningful discussions.
  3. We should be open to differing views in our communities. If we close ourselves off online, it can lead to misunderstandings and bigger arguments in real life.

Trump Vs Mill

Theory Matters • 0 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Democracy Political theory Voter Behavior Governance
  1. Many people are questioning the value of democracy after Trump was re-elected, especially since he has a history of undermining it. It's making voters rethink what their choices mean.
  2. There's a concern about whether voters really understand the issues they are choosing between. If they lack knowledge, it affects how good their decisions can be.
  3. The current political system is criticized for not giving voters good options. Instead of a variety of meaningful choices, it feels like people are just picking the least harmful option.

Prophecies for 2025

Numb at the Lodge • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political theory Governance Social movements Political Commentary
  1. Politics is expected to be mostly irrelevant in 2025. There won't be significant events or changes; everything will appear to be the same.
  2. The focus will shift from political ideologies to personal optimization and self-improvement. People will look inward rather than outward for solutions.
  3. Expect a blend of personal interests, conspiracy theories, and cultural discussions that avoid traditional politics, leading to apolitical conversations instead.

Part Three. The Plandemic! Why Is Trump Attacking The US Center For Disease Control Or CDC?

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Public Health Government Accountability Political theory Media Criticism
  1. There are claims that early COVID-19 cases in the U.S. were misattributed to vaping, raising questions about the CDC's actions at the time.
  2. Some believe that COVID-19 was engineered as a bioweapon and that the focus on China is an attempt to deflect attention from U.S. involvement.
  3. There are concerns about attempts to cover up evidence linking Trump's administration to the creation and release of COVID-19, overshadowing other health crises like Fukushima radiation fallout.

Liberalism Versus Democracy 1

From the New World • 0 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Government Systems Democracy Liberalism State power
  1. The modern European state faces various internal challenges that can cause it to break apart. These issues are important to understand for grasping how political systems function.
  2. Carl Schmitt's work provides insights into the nature of the state and its complexities. His ideas help explain the struggles within government structures.
  3. The balance between liberalism and democracy is crucial in political discussions. It's important to consider how these two concepts interact and influence each other.

Two authoritarian cults

Wyclif's Dust • 0 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Political parties Leadership Governance
  1. People in a group need to work together by choosing the same actions to achieve better outcomes. They can follow a leader's decision or stick to set rules that everyone knows.
  2. Choosing a leader can be flexible because they can respond to situations. However, leaders might make choices that don’t benefit everyone, and that’s risky.
  3. Rules can be fair and apply to everyone equally, creating a balance. But laws can be inflexible and complicated, needing experts to interpret them.

Liberalism Versus Democracy 3

From the New World • 0 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Liberalism Democracy Political theory Metaphysics
  1. Liberalism and democracy can have different goals and values. It's important to understand how they interact and sometimes conflict with each other.
  2. Postliberalism suggests a new way of thinking about society that goes beyond traditional liberal ideas. It may offer solutions to modern political challenges.
  3. The article encourages readers to think critically about existing political frameworks. This can lead to a deeper understanding of how these systems affect our lives.