human scale 16
A Time for Local Democracy
In these days of Twitter democracy, when platforms for political expression are so accessible, it sometimes seems, paradoxically, that citizens have little actual say in decision making about our country’s…
A Primer on Digital Thinking Part 2: Eliminating the Human Element
In Part 1, I outlined the basic difference between counting and measuring and gave some examples of how data is not always objectively derived. Now I want to move the…
Not Even on the Radar
In a small attempt to connect political theory to actual power, last week I sent messages to some GOP members of the U.S. Senate telling them about my new book,…
Politics on a Human Scale: Historiography
The language of “human scale” politics originated, at least in modern America, among the New Left and the Counterculture. More recently it has been adopted by traditional conservatives (appropriately enough).
It’s the Scale, Stupid
Hidden Springs Lane. The great shutdown charade (less than 50% of workers furloughed) is over for now. However, though our leaders are patting themselves on the back for ending the…
Conservatism: What’s Wrong with it and How Can We Make it Right?
This is my contribution to ISI’s symposium, Conservatism: What’s Wrong with it and How Can We Make it Right? In one sense, there is nothing wrong with conservatism. The principles…
A Human Scale Future
Hidden Springs Lane. The notion of scale should be an integral part of the conversation when we consider matters of economic and political import. Unfortunately, this is generally not the…
The Politics of Gratitude: Scale, Place and Community in a Global Age
Here is an excerpt from my recently published book: The Politics of Gratitude: Scale, Place and Community in a Global Age. American politics is broken. One of the few things…
FPR Annual Conference, Round 2
The place and date of Front Porch Republic's second annual conference have been set. We'll get together on Saturday, September 15, at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. We will once…
The Euro: Crisis and Opportunity
The Euro is in trouble, and the news just keeps getting worse. There is now open talk of a post-Euro Europe, and such a turn would be a serious strike…
FPR Conference: A Fine Day in Emmitsburg
For those of you who were not able to be in Emmitsburg on Saturday, you missed a wonderful day. The rain stopped sometime in the night and the early morning…
FPR Conference on Sept. 24: Questions of Scale
Dear friends of FPR, Please join us at the inaugural Front Porch Republic conference on Saturday, September 24, at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Co-sponsored by the Mount…
Gridlock and the Common Good
Events may soon conspire to force a conversation about the common good and the limits of power. Until that happens, gridlock may be the best option.
Let’s Get Rid of the Economy of Growth
Cold Spring, NY--It's getting worse and worse, and the wizards don't have a clue. They don't even know the economy is broken-and can't be fixed. That's why they keep doing…
Notes from the Congress for the New Urbanism
DENVER, COLORADO. It seems like only yesterday that the New Urbanism was really new. But this weekend, with its annual meeting here in Denver, the Congress for the New Urbanism…
Causes and Lessons of the Current Economic Crisis
ERIE, PA. As a new contributor to the Front Porch Republic, I would like to thank Mark Mitchell for his invitation to participate in what is shaping up to be…