Source: Liberalism.org
by Ilya Somin

“Liberalism — defined as the political philosophy that prioritizes individual freedom and human happiness — has always had an equivocal relationship with democracy. Democratic governments generally feature much greater liberty and happiness than other types of regimes. Liberals should resist the temptation to embrace authoritarianism. But there are also multiple ways in which democracy can often threaten liberty and human welfare. These dangers include the tyranny of the majority and widespread voter ignorance. Democracy can also be a threat to its own perpetuation, by bringing to power authoritarian political movements. These are all longstanding problems. But recent events demonstrate their continuing — and in some cases growing — significance.” (05/29/26)

https://www.liberalism.org/p/liberalism-s-uneasy-relationship-with-democracy

Source: Astral Codex Ten
by Scott Alexander

“The philosophers of the Frankfurt School practiced a technique called negative dialectics, where concepts are defined as much by what you can’t say about them as what you can. Appropriately, the Frankfurt School has ended up defined by what you can’t say about them. You can’t say that they invented a new form of left-wing thought called Cultural Marxism. This would be (according to Wikipedia) the Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory, a ‘far right anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that misinterprets Western Marxism, especially the Frankfurt School, as being responsible for modern progressive movements, identity politics, and political correctness.’ … What other aspects of our culture might we be unable to say they were involved in? For answers, I turned to the classic history of the group, Martin Jay’s The Dialectical Imagination.” (05/29/26)

https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/book-review-the-dialectical-imagination

Source: The Daily Economy
by Daniel J Smith

“Herbert Hoover’s wartime sugar program generated shortages that led to expanding rationing systems and increasingly centralized control over the allocation of sugar.” (05/29/26)

https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/the-bitter-lessons-of-sugar-control-in-world-war-i/

Source: The American Prospect
by Robert Kuttner

“The other day, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a corporate Democrat who represents one of the most liberal districts in Massachusetts, dredged up the issue of Graham Platner’s tattoo, attacking the certain Democratic nominee in a must-win Senate contest two states away. ‘I find that tattoo and his commentary about it to be personally disqualifying,’ Auchincloss told CNN Monday. ‘I think that it would be a mistake for the Democratic Party to think that Graham Platner’s brand of the Democratic Party is what wins us durable majorities throughout this country,’ he added …. Since Platner’s opponent in the Democratic primary, Janet Mills, has folded her campaign in the face of Platner’s overwhelming [sic] lead, in effect Auchincloss has endorsed the Republican incumbent, Susan Collins. What in hell is Auchincloss up to?” [editor’s note: Maybe he’s trying to be consistent with the party’s alleged “principles?” -SAT] (05/29/26)

https://prospect.org/2026/05/29/aipac-auchincloss-massachusetts-platner-maine-congress/

Source: The UnPopulist
by Andy Craig

“America’s political gerontocracy is a genuine problem. It fuels dysfunction, distrust, and concrete negative policy consequences. We can’t sweep it under the rug any longer: too many of our high officeholders, including a disproportionate number of Democrats, are simply too old. It’s not unacceptable ageism to say so; it’s the cold, hard reality. And it’s time to confront it head on: we need a mandatory retirement age for politicians.” (05/29/26)

https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/age-limits-for-federal-office-are