US Foreign Policy and Theories of Not-Gardening
“Those who hate gardening need a theory,” wrote Polish philosopher and academic Leszek Kolakowski. “Not to garden without a theory is a shallow, unworthy way of life.”
A Christian Response to Today’s Foreign Policy Debates
America’s retreat from the global stage under the Trump administration is a startling departure from Washington’s traditional post-World War II foreign policy. Once a leading advocate for democracy, free trade, and international cooperation, the U.S. now watches from the sidelines
Rediscovering the Elephant in the Room: The Virtue of Epistemic Confidence
When I consider today’s intellectual climate, I cannot help but think of the fable of blind men and an elephant. Each man forms judgments based on the feel of a particular portion of the elephant, resulting in varying theories about whether the object is a snake, massive tree, or a spear.
The Challenge of Compromise
Compromise is really hard. Trust me, my entire summer has been spent studying how to better facilitate it, even when it is a moralized issue. When a position becomes connected to one’s fundamental sense of right and wrong, a moralized issue is created.
Capitalism and Human Nature
From an early age, I “knew” what everyone seems to know about capitalism: It is great for the rich but not for the poor. In Nicaragua, where I grew up, a negative view of capitalism was the norm.
Resurrected Aid: Why There is Still Hope for Aid in Africa
The distribution of aid to developing countries in Africa is a contentious issue among economists and international policymakers. While giving aid to poverty-stricken countries may be seen as a generous act, it has been argued that doing so is not sustainable and does not benefit people in developing countries in the long run.
A Tale of Two Cities
The city of Nogales is one of the few settlements that actually straddles the U.S.-Mexico border. In Nogales, Arizona, the average household income is $30,000.
Chasing Political Sunsets
The American Enterprise Institute invited dozens of college students from all corners of the map—I met friends from Venezuela, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and France—to their headquarters in Washington, DC to join ranks in the fierce competition of ideas.
2018–2019 Values & Capitalism Young Scholar Awards
The Values & Capitalism Young Scholar Award program seeks to foster high-quality academic research and writing by awarding $5,000 scholarships to up to six undergraduate students
