The hottest Public Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The Post-Cold War Apotheosis of Liberal Managerialism

The Upheaval • 1065 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. There's been a big shift where the lines between government power and everyday life have blurred. This change makes it easier for the state to control personal freedoms and decisions.
  2. The rise of global governance has been fueled by a blend of neoliberal and neoconservative ideologies. This partnership pushes for more control over international finance and politics to achieve a unified agenda.
  3. Managerialism has taken over many aspects of society, promoting the idea that experts can and should manage every part of life. This creates a system where individual freedoms may be sacrificed for the sake of efficiency and control.

OSD 354: You see the infringement in your neighbor’s eye and ignore the GCA in your own

Open Source Defense • 59 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. A British tourist was arrested back home over a social media photo of him holding a shotgun while on holiday, showing how online posts can lead to serious legal trouble.
  2. U.S. federal law (18 U.S.C. 922(g)) can make most nonimmigrant visa holders — including many students and tourists — felons for possessing or even handling firearms, with only narrow exceptions like certain hunting licenses.
  3. Both countries show worrying limits on liberty: UK policing can feel overreaching and the U.S. has uneven, sometimes harsh gun and policing laws, so protecting civil rights requires constant vigilance.

Dingus of the week: Democratic party spending $20 million on men

Men Yell at Me • 391 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The Democratic National Committee is planning to spend $20 million to win back young male voters, but many believe this may not address the root causes of their declining support.
  2. Research shows that male support for Democrats drops significantly when a female candidate is on the ballot, highlighting potential biases among male voters.
  3. Some suggestions for the Democratic platform include humorous ideas that appeal to men, like guaranteed matches on dating apps, but the real issue may be deeper societal attitudes rather than party policies.

DOGE, Software, and Government

In My Tribe • 668 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. DOGE aims to completely change how the government uses technology. If it works, it could make federal spending easier to track and reduce the number of government jobs through automation.
  2. Historical examples show that improving information systems doesn't always lead to better results. Without discipline and cooperation in departments, new tech can't help fix deeper issues.
  3. Unlike Estonia's fresh start, the US has a complex and disorganized government structure. For any major tech changes to succeed, the executive branch may need a complete overhaul first.
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C-SPAN, Paranoia, Sleeping Babies

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 909 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. You can watch my C-SPAN interview about various topics related to public affairs. It's interesting to see how different subjects are discussed in media.
  2. I have a new lecture series on the psychology of social status, exploring why people seek status and how it influences behavior. This could help you understand social dynamics better.
  3. I shared some links to articles that discuss responsibility in society, paranoia, and modern issues. These readings could offer a deeper understanding of our current world.

Mr. President, Don’t Abandon the Rule of Law to Save TikTok

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 700 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The rule of law is important in a republic and should not be ignored, even for popular apps like TikTok.
  2. As president, there is a responsibility to uphold the law rather than make exceptions for personal preferences.
  3. Supporting independent journalism is essential for shedding light on important issues and maintaining accountability.

Did New Zealand's mainstream newspapers collude to collectively cancel an unobjectionable advert?

A B’Old Woman • 619 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. New Zealand's mainstream media seems to avoid controversy and only promotes certain values. This has led to a boring and uniform direction in their content.
  2. A conservative group had ads approved in major newspapers, but then all the newspapers canceled them without clear reasons, suggesting a possible collusion.
  3. The idea of 'cancellation' can affect anyone, and it's important to stand up for different viewpoints to protect everyone's rights and speech.

The Purge of the Deep State and the Road to Dictatorship

The Chris Hedges Report • 605 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The Trump administration is pushing for a major shift in how the government operates, aiming to replace officials with their loyal supporters. This could lead to a situation where laws are only what the leaders say they are, weakening democracy.
  2. There are concerns about the increasing power of large corporations and technology companies, which could misuse personal data and control more aspects of government. This threatens both people's privacy and their rights.
  3. The rise of authoritarianism in leadership can lead to divisions in society, where dissenters face harsh repression. People are urged to resist this and hold onto their moral values, even if it seems difficult.

The Death of USAID

Can We Still Govern? • 275 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. USAID was a key organization for helping people worldwide, especially regarding food aid and fighting diseases. Its sudden end could lead to a lot of unnecessary suffering.
  2. The actions taken against USAID relied on controversial ideas about presidential power, which some believe could harm the balance of government authority in the U.S.
  3. Misinformation and conspiracy theories played a big role in dismantling USAID, showing how unchecked beliefs from powerful individuals can lead to real-life consequences for many around the world.

What if societies were (deliberately) built to learn? (part one)

Brain Pizza • 794 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🚌 Education Public Policy
  1. An 'experimenting society' uses real-life experiments to solve social problems. Instead of guessing solutions, we can test ideas to see what really works.
  2. Complex issues like poverty and health don’t have easy answers. We often need deep expertise and careful study to find effective solutions instead of relying on common sense.
  3. Learning from mistakes is important. If societies are built to learn, they can adapt and improve over time by evaluating what strategies succeed or fail.

On the "elite overproduction" problem

In My Tribe • 774 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The idea of 'elite overproduction' suggests that there are too many people aiming for top positions, which leads to instability. However, many college graduates still find good jobs, showing this idea might not hold true.
  2. Mounk argues that while many pursue fame in arts and media, this ambition has always existed. It can't explain the current issues in society.
  3. There are concerns that some sectors, like nonprofit and education, prioritize their own status too much, leading to a misunderstanding of what 'elite' really means.

God Bless the Gipper

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 19 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. A strong society is built from the bottom up through volunteerism and personal responsibility, with people, churches, and local groups stepping in to help one another.
  2. Government’s main job is to create freedom and economic opportunity, not to run every social program; excessive spending and top-down welfare can foster dependency and threaten liberty.
  3. Good leadership is about guiding and earning trust (think horsemanship), and a shared moral framework helps keep communities resilient and free.

Britain’s Project 2029

Wrong Side of History • 617 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Trump's return to presidency has led to significant changes in American policies, especially regarding immigration and diversity programs. Many people are excited about these shifts.
  2. There is a noticeable contrast between the proactive measures of the new American administration and the lack of clear direction from the British government under Starmer. This difference is leading to a feeling of stagnation in Britain.
  3. Voters prefer a government that takes action and shows energy. In contrast, the current British leadership is seen as tired and lacking a strong vision, which is making them unpopular.

The Winner's Curse

Comment is Freed • 60 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
💼 Business Public Policy
  1. Designing choices and defaults works big time: changing systems like automatic enrollment in pensions can produce huge, lasting effects, while simple wording changes and social comparisons give smaller but very cost-effective boosts.
  2. There are big practical and political limits to nudging: nudge teams often can only persuade rather than redesign systems, and deliberate "sludge" or gamified interfaces can harm people while current political trends make evidence-based reforms harder.
  3. Behavioural economics has uncovered many real anomalies and useful tools (like mental accounting), but it hasn’t replaced standard economic theory or textbooks and probably won’t offer a single grand theory; its strength is adding realistic, descriptive insights to existing models.

As Long as You Criticize Republicans Too. . .

Disaffected Newsletter • 1099 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Some people believe that focusing on the harm done to children is more important than criticizing other political parties. They argue that not all politicians deserve respect if they support harmful policies.
  2. There is a growing frustration with certain political groups, especially when their priorities seem out of touch with serious issues like child safety.
  3. It's important to recognize that people can become so loyal to a party that they overlook harmful actions, making it hard to have constructive conversations about critical social issues.

Get ready to eat beans, peas, lentils--as cuts in meat, poultry, and eggs are proposed for next Dietary Guidelines

Unsettled Science • 800 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Public Policy
  1. The new Dietary Guidelines may suggest eating less meat, poultry, and eggs for everyone. This change could encourage more consumption of beans, peas, and lentils.
  2. Changing the guidelines is important because they influence what food programs, like school lunches, serve. The guidelines can also impact health issues like obesity and diabetes in children.
  3. There seems to be a long-standing bias against animal foods in these guidelines, with a focus on vegetarian and vegan diets despite concerns about nutrient deficiencies from those diets.

The Effect of Education on Fertility

Bet On It • 176 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🚌 Education Public Policy
  1. People with higher education tend to have fewer children compared to those with lower education levels. This trend is seen not just in the U.S., but also in many countries worldwide.
  2. Education has a strong influence on fertility rates, with women's education having a greater impact than men's. More educated women often choose to delay or limit having kids.
  3. While some might see education as a good way to control population growth, low fertility rates in developed countries could be a concern for future generations. This shows that education's effects on population are complex.

Why the Danes do it better (and other stories)

Wrong Side of History • 289 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Denmark's summerhouse culture promotes happiness, as many people have access to homes by the coast. This is different from the UK's struggle with second home ownership and the politics around it.
  2. Danish politics thrive on transparency and honesty, helping to maintain trust and satisfaction among the public. This contrasts with the perception of politics in countries like Britain, where trust has eroded.
  3. The discussion around welfare in the UK highlights a connection between social breakdown and dependency on benefits, raising concerns about long-term consequences and the need for systemic change.

Sex self-ID in New Zealand has a 'get out of jail' card for service providers.

A B’Old Woman • 619 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. In New Zealand, the new sex self-ID law allows people to change their recorded sex easily online. However, service providers can still choose to restrict access to single-sex spaces.
  2. Service providers are not legally required to let men who identify as women into women's areas. Their decision to do so is voluntary and could come with potential risks.
  3. Allowing men into women's spaces can make some women feel unsafe or uncomfortable, even if no incidents happen. Women's rights to single-sex spaces should be respected.

Matt Goodwin's train nightmare

Odds and Ends of History • 268 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Getting good phone service on trains is tough. There's a new government plan to fix this problem.
  2. Some official economic data might be messed up, which makes it hard to know how the country is really doing.
  3. Growth is important for spreading wealth, and there's a push to make a specific philosophy part of the government's plans.

Nudge and Behavioral Governance- Systematic Government Thought Modification

Who is Robert Malone • 17 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Governments and agencies now use “nudge” techniques—behavioral science, defaults, emotional framing, and algorithms—to steer people’s choices without overt coercion. This approach can undermine individual autonomy and informed consent.
  2. In the U.S., behavioral science was formalized across federal agencies through an executive order, creating permanent teams and tools. Those systems were scaled up during emergencies like COVID to shape public behavior.
  3. Governments worked with Big Tech, contractors, ad firms, and academic centers to gather behavioral data, micro-target messages, and adjust platforms in real time. This formed feedback loops and algorithmic controls that engineered public consent while reducing transparent democratic debate.

Please Don’t Spread Bizarre Conspiracies About Undocumented Immigrants

Singal-Minded • 808 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Don't share strange conspiracy theories about immigration. They can create unnecessary fear and confusion in communities.
  2. Understanding the reasons behind immigration can help clarify the situation. Many immigrants are fleeing bad conditions in their home countries.
  3. It's important for journalists to be responsible when writing about sensitive topics like immigration. Spreading unverified claims can fuel harmful narratives.

Disaction Bias: When Doing Nothing Causes Disaster

Viruses Must Die • 35 implied HN points • 24 Dec 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. People and institutions often default to doing nothing even when action would prevent predictable harm; the coined term "disaction" captures this refusal to act that leads to avoidable disasters.
  2. A mix of psychological and institutional forces — omission bias, exaggerating the risks of acting while downplaying the risks of doing nothing, futility bias, vetos and status pressures, decorum, and failure of imagination — push decision‑makers toward inaction.
  3. Giving this bias a name makes it easier to spot across medicine, science, environment, housing, and government, and reminds us to try sensible actions, admit failures, and reform systems that reward safe-looking inaction.

So what if they’re below average?

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 08 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Immigration can be beneficial even if new arrivals have lower average intelligence. People with high intelligence can greatly contribute to economic growth and help lift others out of poverty.
  2. Knowledge is essential for progress, but it's not shared equally. Smart people create innovations that can benefit everyone, even if some tasks are done by less skilled workers.
  3. Countries benefit collectively from advancements made in one area. For example, technologies developed in rich nations can significantly improve lives and economies in poorer regions.

For the offence of tweeting three thumbs-up emojis, a 64 year-old German woman has been fined €1,800

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 258 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. A 64-year-old woman in Germany was fined €1,800 for liking a tweet that supported vigilante justice. This shows how serious some countries are about regulating online speech.
  2. There are concerns about the increasing disorder caused by migrants in Europe, which some believe is getting more attention than the crimes themselves.
  3. The government seems to be cracking down more on public criticism of migrant issues rather than the issues themselves. This suggests they want to limit discontent among citizens.

What the future looks like from here.

The Future, Now and Then • 770 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Trumpism is not going to last forever, but it will cause a lot of pain for people and will take a long time to recover from.
  2. The future looks bleak for everyday people. We could see less government protection and more power for the wealthy, leading to issues in health care, justice, and the environment.
  3. Even though it seems tough right now, there's hope that one day society can rebuild and move past Trumpism, since authoritarianism has its weaknesses too.

The Four Phases of Institutional Collapse in the Age of AI

Kyla’s Newsletter • 286 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Trust in institutions is fading. People are starting to feel that institutions no longer work for them, leading to a breakdown in trust.
  2. Knowledge and expertise are being dismissed. This causes a gap in education and knowledge transfer, making it harder for new generations to step into important roles.
  3. Institutional breakdown is happening. There are not enough systems in place to rebuild what's lost, leading to a situation where technology could replace human roles without any checks in place.

Release: LexipolLeaks (68GB)

Distributed Email of Secrets • 531 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. A large data leak called LexipolLeaks contains policy manuals from over 8,500 police agencies in the U.S. This information helps the public see what rules their local police follow.
  2. The leak was carried out by a group of hackers who believe there should be more scrutiny on police practices. They targeted Lexipol because of its significant role in creating police policies.
  3. Not all police departments share their policy manuals online. This leak provides a way for people to access manuals that were previously unavailable to the public.

America has a worsening hospital crisis. The new documentary "American Hospitals" charts a way out of it.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 359 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Policy
  1. There is a growing crisis in American hospitals, especially with large hospitals making a lot of money while smaller ones struggle and close down.
  2. The documentary 'American Hospitals: Healing a Broken System' highlights these issues and features experts sharing insights on the hospital situation.
  3. Some lawmakers are starting to pay more attention to the hospital industry's problems and are encouraging changes to make healthcare more fair and accessible for everyone.

The Folly of Freeing Ross Ulbricht

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 551 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Trump granted a full pardon to Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road drug market. This move was seen as a way to appeal to Libertarians who have been advocating for his release.
  2. Many people believe this pardon goes against Trump's earlier promises of law and order. They argue it raises questions about his commitment to serious crime issues.
  3. The situation shows the tensions within political platforms about how to handle crime and punishment. Some see it as a step toward freedom, while others view it as a dangerous message.

Recognize who the opposition is

Disaffected Newsletter • 899 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Know who your true opposition is. It's important to recognize who is not on your side in any battle you're fighting.
  2. Don't feel obligated to pretend to like people who don't share your values. It's okay to stand firm in your beliefs.
  3. Be aware that some people may betray you or your cause. Trust your instincts about who to rely on in difficult times.

The most neglected problem in Britain?

Comment is Freed • 45 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
📰 News Public Policy
  1. More than a quarter of women have been sexually assaulted since age 16, and about a third of those incidents are rapes or attempted rapes.
  2. Sexual offences haven’t fallen over the last 20 years and receive surprisingly little public or political attention, even though other crimes have decreased significantly.
  3. There are proven, evidence-backed reforms — for example improved policing and investigation models like Operation Soteria — that could cut offences in the next few years, so policy should focus on these alongside longer-term cultural change.

Dingus of the week: “A big beautiful bill”

Men Yell at Me • 301 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Finding humor in tough situations can help us cope and maintain our sanity. Laughter can take the power out of serious issues.
  2. Sometimes, government actions seem silly or harmful, like cutting essential services to save money. It's important to recognize the real impact of these choices.
  3. Good news can still happen amidst the bad, like legal wins for marginalized groups and positive changes in work-life balance. Celebrating these wins is important.

Kellie-Jay Keen's coming back to New Zealand.

A B’Old Woman • 459 implied HN points • 30 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. Kellie-Jay Keen is returning to New Zealand for a court case related to an incident where juice was thrown on her at a rally. This case is set for September 20.
  2. The person charged, Eli Rubashkyn, has faced criticism for his actions at the rally, where he pretended to have different views to get close to Kellie-Jay. His court appearance is expected to draw attention.
  3. There are growing concerns in New Zealand about policies affecting single-sex spaces, as some believe these changes impact women's rights and safety.

My presentation in November's webinar for Women's Declaration International - Australia & New Zealand.

A B’Old Woman • 299 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. A recent decision by the Christchurch City Council allows men who identify as women to access women-only spaces, which has raised concerns among some women about their safety and privacy.
  2. Although the Council claims they prioritize equitable access and safety, they have not consulted with groups opposing this policy, leading to feelings of being disregarded.
  3. There are calls for more transparency and feedback mechanisms to better understand the impact of such policies on women and to ensure women's voices are heard.

Social Learning Links

In My Tribe • 516 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. We need to make big tech companies more open about how they control what we see online. It's important for users to understand how decisions are made about content.
  2. There's hope for improving free speech in colleges, thanks to changes in culture and organizations pushing for reform. College leaders have a critical role in shaping this positive change.
  3. The current problems in education can be traced back to how ideas have been taught in schools. We might need to rethink who we trust in academia and lift up the better thinkers.

Odds and Ends #44: The New Statesman still needs fixing

Odds and Ends of History • 670 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. The New Statesman needs a new strategy because its current direction isn’t working, especially with recent management changes. It's suggested that they should find a fresh approach to regain readers' interest.
  2. Channel Tunnel news indicates new train operators could start here, which means more travel choices for people. However, the slow process for getting these services running is frustrating.
  3. The Sekforde pub is facing NIMBY threats due to possible new licensing rules that could limit outdoor seating. It's highlighted that such pubs are important for social interaction and community events.

Disinformation aplenty from the aptly named Disinformation Project.

A B’Old Woman • 639 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Policy
  1. There is growing online hate towards trans people, especially after certain events that sparked this backlash. This highlights ongoing tensions in discussions around trans rights.
  2. The argument that there is 'no evidence' of trans people being violent is seen as misleading. Critics say that this overlooks the need for better data collection on the impacts of trans policies.
  3. Some believe that allowing trans women into women's spaces increases risk to women and girls. This viewpoint stresses the need for careful consideration around policies involving gender identity.