Spectacles Out Loud

A monumental election may lead to paralysis as terms designed to foster peace and cooperation are wielded in power politics.-Important References-View the election resultsWatch Horowitz's address-Share If You Care-Share via TwitterShare via FacebookShare via LinkedInShare via Email-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The social media generation’s first House member is showing how hard it will be to balance privacy with public service.-Share If You Care-Share via TwitterShare via FacebookShare via LinkedInShare via Email-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

It's back in the news. Whatever you think, it probably proves the court is a mess of an institution we'd do well to reform.This Focus originally appeared on August 29, 2021, under the headline: "The Supreme Court: Political, Unaccountable, and All Too Powerful." Due to the recent leak of a Supreme Court opinion portending an overturn of Roe v. Wade, we decided to re-publish it.-Important References-The Supreme Court and Constitutional Democracy, by John Agresto"Written statement of [Professor] Samuel Moyn," to the President's Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States."The Supreme Court Needs to be Cut Down to Size," by Jamelle Bouie, in The New York Times.-Share If You Care-Share via TwitterShare via FacebookShare via LinkedInShare via Email-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Hungary’s rocky relationship with the EU is about to get rockier. Could current tensions initiate an exit?-Important References-Our previous coverage of Hungary's recent election-Share If You Care-Share via TwitterShare via FacebookShare via LinkedInShare via Email-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Whether Communist, monarchist, or Nazi, any opponents of German democracy in the ‘20s could find a friend in the Soviet Union.-Share If You Care-Share via TwitterShare via FacebookShare via LinkedInShare via Email-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

New York Dems have been denied their gerrymander. They’ll need to find more productive ways to push the boundaries.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!-Share if you care-Share via TwitterShare via FacebookShare via LinkedInShare via Email

The Senate is making it harder to fill key posts in the government. The ready fix may not be a fix at all.Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Conservatives are using the power of the state to curtail freedom of speech. Will progressives step up to defend it?-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The invasion of Ukraine has driven the West together and heightened militarization. It’s not perfectly clear that’s a good thing.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

As South Africa reels from devastating floods, a lack of trust between officials and citizens could make recovery difficult.-Important References-Listen to our interview with Professor Aldrich-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

EU leadership is making Ukraine seem like a shoe-in. That dodges some hard—but vital—questions.-Important References-Is Ukraine a democracy?-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

In France, politics is about personality, not party, and that could spell real trouble for any democracy.-Important References-Note: Between recording and publishing, election results shifted slightly. Find the most up to date numbers here.See Macron's famous interview with The Economist-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The EU is beginning to face the realities of its energy future, but Germany and France aren’t on the same page.Ania Wellere is an undergraduate student at Denison University, currently completing her Bachelor of Arts in Global Health. She hopes to have a career in health equity and policy.-Important References-Write with us!-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

How much damage will Biden’s slip of the tongue do?-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Or, how the very features which led the West to self-doubt and awe of autocracy will ensure democracy’s triumph.-Important References-Article about Russia's incompetent economic management-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings featured the usual political absurdities. Would cutting the cameras fix it?-Important References-Explaining "mediatization"-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

A new magazine seeks to build a coalition between left- and right-wing critics of liberalism. What explains their alliance?-Important References- Harry's primer on the post-liberal right-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Some people think punishing the president for high gas prices is nonsensical. In fact, it’s a profoundly honest expression of what democracy promises.-Important References-That research about voting behavior-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Development assistance is one way the United States can help other countries democratize. But it could use a rethink.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Write with us!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Florida’s new parental rights bill prohibits discussion of LGBT issues in the classroom. It’s going to cause chaos for the state’s school system.-Important References-Harry's piece on "republic" vs. "democracy"-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

China is starting to lock down again, because their vaccines don’t work. Why don’t they just buy better ones? The short answer: authoritarianism.-Important References-Noah Smith's post-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Young thinker? Write with us!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Breaking down the theory of “mediatization” helps explain why Kristi Noem keeps fighting her own party and losing.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The tragic forty-year history of Taiwan’s Fourth Nuclear Plant yields key lessons on energy policy, democracy, security, and more.-Important References-Angelica's blog, TaipologyOur conversation with Angelica-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Congress is reviving pork barrel politics. By allowing legislators to bring home big projects, it could rejuvenate Congress—or corruption.-Important References-Harry's piece on American political theater-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The FDA’s blood donation rules stigmatize sexual minorities for no good reason—and it may cost a million lives each year.Benjamin Gossart is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a candidate for a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Political Science with a concentration in identity, culture, and politics.-Important References-Write with us like Ben!-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Russian oligarchs and American billionaires: some say there’s hardly any difference. Harry explains, “What’s in a name?”-Important References-On Joe Manchin and American corruption-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Joe Biden sees the Russian invasion as another development in the conflict between freedom and tyranny, but is Ukraine all that democratic? Does it matter?-Important References-International corruption: the Pandora Papers, explainedWhy geopolitics isn't democracy v autocracy-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

There’s a wealth of useful information out there on the events unfolding in Ukraine, which we’ve compiled here for readers.-Important References-Rob LeeMax SeddonMichael KofmanChartbook #68 by Adam ToozeThe Power of The Dollar by Bryce JohnstonKyiv IndependentFinancial TimesWho's your member of Congress?-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

As the global reserve currency, the US Dollar is a cornerstone of American influence in the world. But its strength may be waning.-Important References-Our special discussion with BryceBryce's last piece for Spectacles, about CBDCs-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The concept of republicanism, flattened by rhetoric and partisanship, deserves a revival.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

America doesn’t have enough doctors, but it doesn’t do us any good to point and stare without getting to the root of the problem.-Important References-Derek Thompson's Atlantic ArticleListen to our discussion of this piece!-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The president of Tunisia is cementing his hold on authoritarian power. It’s worth considering what happens when the response to anti-democratic action is sluggish.-Important References-Our previous coverage of Tunisia:July 26, 2021 - The first signs of collapseAugust 30, 2021 - Considering our optionsOctober 1, 2021 - Asking how this happened-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Boris Johnson remains in a state of perma-crisis, but it could cost his party dearly to turn on him now.-Important References-Philip's last check-in on Boris-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Last year, we thought California had killed single-family zoning. But this Bay Area enclave would rather have mountain lions than new homes.Don't miss the extra discussion of this topic and the legal claims here, from Spectacles In Conversation!Correction: Woodside has dropped this claim to a wildlife habitat to prevent SB9, though I would still predict other communities making other legal attempts to exempt themselves, and legal battles will probably follow.-Important References-Harry's previous Insight on SB9 and 10-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

As congressional staffers vent about poor wages and working conditions, it’s worth considering what happens when public servants are poorly compensated.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

HBO’s Rome offers a peek into BC-era political dilemmas not unlike our own. The lesson, it seems, is not to do as the Romans did.-Important References-If you're curious to learn more about this period of Roman history and what we might be able to learn from it and apply to our challenges today, Plutarch's biographies are a great insight into the lives of important Romans at any time. This collection is a good one for the period in question. From a more modern voice, Mike Duncan is an excellent and accessible presenter of Roman history, both through his podcast, and his book on this period.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

A lot of people want to increase industry at home to prevent future shortages. It sounds nice, but it doesn’t work like that.-Important References-Philip explains the supply chain crunch and what to doHarry points to how actions usually thought to increase inflation could reduce itHarry discusses how inflation has been unequally distributed-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Today, guest writer Christopher Healey -How much does Ukraine's location on a map reveal about its present crisis? The answer shows just how complicated democratization can be.Christopher Healey holds a BS in Political Science from Kenyon College, where he also studied Religion and French. He works on the communications team of a foreign policy think tank in Washington, D.C., though the views in this article are his own, and he is writing in an entirely independent capacity.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The January 6th convictions aren’t quite on target yet. But by going for symbols of the insurrection, they’re on the right track.-Important References-Jacob Chansley interview-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

It’s taken for granted that meritocracy makes sense. But could it actually damage democracy in the long term?-Further Reading-The Tyranny of Merit, by Michael Sandel.Democracy in America, by Alexis de TocquevilleThe Red and the Black, by Stendhal-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Stephen Breyer is retiring from the Supreme Court. For Democrats, it’s a win. For democracy, it’s harder to say.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Africa’s Sahel region witnesses its fifth coup in the past year. This one is the first to really imperil a democracy.-Important References-Philp's Insight on the coup in Sudan-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

As the situation on the Ukrainian border grows more tense, the United States finds itself in a hole of its own digging.-Important References-On Germany and Nord Stream 2On China's beating the house-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The European Parliament wants to regulate the tech industry. There are problems, especially regarding freedom of expression.-Important References-Another Insight on the meaning of "free market"-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Digital currencies hold great promise, but democracies need to be careful. Both within and without, authoritarians could reap all the benefits.-Important References-Bryce's TwitterPhilip's Focus on Estonian digital citizenship-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The global vaccination campaign is still behind schedule. Failing to bring it up to speed would be both a serious moral failing and a missed opportunity.-Important References-Philip's Insight on vaccination and the supply chain-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The current fight over voting rights was bound to lose at the national level. Focusing on DC distracts from the real opportunities.-Important References-That tool from 538Our interview with Benjamin SingerHarry's old Insight about gerrymanderingOur explainer of proportional representation-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Both parties have been hypocritical about the filibuster. It’s pretty easy to explain why.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

Three different officials from the Federal Reserve have resigned for shady trading. The problem goes far beyond them.-Important References-On the importance of optics-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter! // Follow our TikTok!

The mess of what remains of Build Back Better illustrates a key challenge for democracy and the urgent need for the Biden administration to address it.-Important References-On Tunisia, where democracy crumbled months ago due to feckless governance.More on Joe Manchin's questionable campaign financing.-Usual Links-Subscribe to our newsletter!Read or comment on this article!Listen to Spectacles In Conversation!Follow our Twitter!Follow our TikTok!