Politics & Society
Bridging the ideological divide
It isn’t easy to lower the temperature of our political discourse. But there are people working to help us have better conversations.
What happened to the American dream in the 20th century?
David Leonhardt tells the story in the language of economic analysis.
Can we save democracy in the United States?
I grew up in Taiwan and Argentina. Here’s what I know about authoritarianism.
Wisdom from Augustine in an election year
Our so-called Christian politics have been captivated by the liturgies of the earthly city rather than the city of God.
Voting is important. It isn’t sacred.
Casting your ballot means voicing a preference—not a moral conviction or deep, spiritual alignment.
What does solidarity mean at the border?
It’s not about electoral politics—not when both major parties embrace the policies that are oppressing people.
Black Christians’ competing solidarities with Israelis and Palestinians
Divergent biblical interpretations and shared histories lead to different answers to the same question: Who are “the oppressed”?
Vegetables that are fearfully and wonderfully made
My friend left me his CSA share for two weeks. It changed the way I look at labor.
A Lincoln parable
Civil War historian Allen Guelzo documents Lincoln’s faith—not in God but in the American experiment.
Against killing children
We have become a society of people who cannot prevent our own children from being killed in their classrooms—and who do not much mind the killing of other people’s children by weapons of war.
Playing to the crowds
J. D. Vance’s lies about Haitian immigrants reveal his willingness to trade his dignity for attention.
The forgotten victims of Nazi genocide
Jewish historian Ari Joskowicz tells the story of Hitler’s attempt to wipe out the Roma people.
The most dangerous preacher in Hungary
Methodist leader Gábor Iványi is perhaps Viktor Orbán’s fiercest critic. He’s looking to Americans for solidarity.
Women posing problems
In the gospels and in the world today, women get in the way and make the world new.
What comes after a ceasefire?
Netanyahu’s poor leadership is a symptom of larger problems that undermine the long-term prospects for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians.
The strengths and limitations of Saul Alinsky’s approach
Mark Santow’s intellectual biography of the influential organizer explores how his Chicago coalitions wrestled with the challenges of race.