Source: The UnPopulist
by Joshua Reed Eakle

“Liberalism’s early victories were bold and sweeping, in part because they had to be. Early liberals, advocating for human dignity and freedom against many different forms of oppression, were radicals within their own contexts. Liberalism, though, is not inherently radical: it does not possess the relentless internal logic of totalitarian systems that need an endless series of “enemies of the people” to war against. Nor does it seek to ceaselessly tear down. Neither is liberalism small-c conservative: At no point does liberalism proclaim itself satisfied with the status quo, content merely to treat politics as a defensive battle. Liberals seek to establish open and liberal societies—which sometimes requires sweeping revolution — but then to settle down to the more mundane tasks of both maintenance and refinement.” (10/25/25)

https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/liberalism-is-a-bold-force-that-ends

Source: The Dispatch
by Jonah Goldberg

“If I had to pick a single piece of writing that captures the state of American political culture today, it would be an essay published 80 years ago this month: George Orwell’s ‘Notes on Nationalism.’ … What Orwell meant by nationalism wasn’t ‘patriotism.’ Rather, he wrote: ‘By ‘nationalism’ I mean first of all the habit of assuming that human beings can be classified like insects and that whole blocks of millions or tens of millions of people can be confidently labelled ‘good’ or ‘bad’. But secondly ­– and this is much more important – I mean the habit of identifying oneself with a single nation or other unit, placing it beyond good and evil and recognizing no other duty than that of advancing its interests.‘ [emphasis mine]” (10/24/25)

https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/gfile/identity-politics-nationalism-orwell-party-loyalty/

Source: In These Times
by Michael Beyea Reagan

“If polls are to be believed, democratic socialist Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani is likely to win the mayoralty of New York City this November. An October 9 Quinnipiac University survey taken after Mayor Eric Adams dropped from the race shows Mamdani is up 13 points over his nearest competitor, disgraced former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Despite his youth and executive inexperience, Mamdani has all the advantages …. Yet despite these electoral advantages, the deck is stacked against Mamdani’s administration. This is because the political coalition necessary to govern is quite different from that which can get him elected.” (10/23/25)

https://inthesetimes.com/article/zohran-mamdani-trump-cuomo-nyc-wall-street

Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
by Birsen Filip

“In recent years, Cubans have been forced to endure one of their worst shortages of basic necessities, such as food, medical supplies, and fuel. The fuel shortage has been particularly devastating, as it causes regular power outages, which makes it extremely difficult to work and engage in production, and obstructs the transport and distribution of goods across the island. A number factors have contributed to the current economic crisis in Cuba, including a slow recovery of the tourism industry from covid restrictions and the elimination of the dual currency system, which has resulted in persistently high inflation. However, it is ultimately the American financial and economic blockade that is, by far, the biggest contributing factor to the recent economic crisis, as well as the main issue holding back the economic growth and development of Cuba, more broadly.” (10/25/25)

https://mises.org/mises-wire/brief-history-enduring-american-embargo-against-cuba

Source: The Peaceful Revolutionist
by David S D’Amato

“As we’ve seen, the stagnating real sector, having undermined capital’s ability to increase itself by skimming from actually productive activity, has meant a shift in capital’s attention. Over the past half-century, parasitic capital has turned its gaze in the direction of finance, state-aided rent extraction, intellectual property rights and ‘professional’ services, a trend that has further entrenched the state-capital system. This entrenchment is intimately connected, as a practical matter, with the fourth branch of the U.S. government in that this is the site of interchange between the agents of the corporate rent-extraction mechanism and the formal state.” (10/25/25)

https://dsdamato.substack.com/p/the-engines-of-state-capitalism-part-920

Source: Christian Science Monitor
by staff

“On Friday, Alabama officials unveiled statues of two indomitable native daughters – civil rights activist Rosa Parks and disability pioneer Helen Keller. The move, unanimously approved by the state legislature in 2019, makes Ms. Parks and Ms. Keller the first women to be depicted among the many monuments on the Capitol grounds in Montgomery. And it underscores how, in overcoming limitations, both women overturned restrictive societal views and values about individual ability and worth. While they faced vastly different challenges, their lives are entwined by a common thread of quiet determination and dignity.” (10/24/25)

https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2025/1024/Two-women-s-indelible-impact-on-the-US