In Federalist 1, Alexander Hamilton explains that the “vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty.” That phrase leaves open the question, what do we define as “vigor of government?” Since the nation’s founding, Americans have combined individual self-interest with the common good to establish an energetic and thriving government. For almost 250 … Read more
Hafez (center) and his son Bashar al-Assad (right) at their home in Damascus in the early 1970s. On September 27th, 2019, a marathon was held in Aleppo, Syria. The event marks an uneasy return to normalcy for the city’s residents, as Aleppo saw fierce fighting between the Syrian Army and rebel forces throughout the Syrian … Read more
In the months, weeks, and days leading up to the impeachment of President Donald Trump, he and his supporters have claimed for their defense a central pillar of American government: democracy. Impeaching Trump is wrong, they argue, because it is anti-democratic. Take, for instance, the impassioned letter Trump sent to Speaker of the House Nancy … Read more
Just a two-hour drive and a ferry ride away from Harvard Square is Martha’s Vineyard, a bustling vacation island for prominent politicians, businesspeople, and celebrities. Summer residents find a different pace of life, exchanging hectic ports for picturesque bike paths and glass high-rises for charming beach houses. However, among its peculiar distinctions comes another trade-off: … Read more
Cutthroat politics, government scandals, and attack ads dominating the airwaves. These problems are not unique to the United Kingdom facing Brexit, or the United States with its current partisan split. Indeed, these characteristics are beginning to plague a nation that few would expect: Canada. On the international stage, Canada has developed a reputation for moderate … Read more