The “man of system” is a famous figure in the work of Adam Smith, and not in a good way. And yet we all think in systems. They can be both beautiful and helpful. What gives?
Yours, Mine, or Ours? Liberals Need a Theory of the State
When are state-based solutions the best we can do? It’s tempting to reach hasty conclusions, but technological change means the truth may be a moving target.
Liberalism does best when there are strong intermediate institutions between the state and the individual. The family is the oldest of them, and it still has no substitutes.
Seeing with Two I’s: States, Markets, and Some Advice for Us Liberals
Markets may fail; governments may help. But much about market activity will forever be invisible. A pair of unlikely thinkers helps illustrate the limits of what we know and the need for epistemic humility.
