Topic: James Buchanan

Eisenhower in War and Peace

Jean Edward's Smith's new biography obliterates earlier arguments that Eisenhower’s was a dull, torpid presidency.

Why is it OK to to be prejudiced against Mormons?

You can’t be openly racist, sexist, or anti-Semitic in America. But anti-Mormon? Go for it. Maybe a White House run by Mitt Romney or Jon Huntsman will shine enough light on actual Mormons to make us put aside the fears and fantasies about them.

Hillary Clinton now most popular figure in Obama administration

As war rages on several fronts and much of the Middle East and northern Africa is in turmoil, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton enjoys a favorable rating higher than President Obama, Vice President Biden, or Secretary of Defense Gates.

America Aflame: How the Civil War Created a Nation

On the 150th anniversary of the onset of the US Civil War, a lively, compelling account of its roots.

'Cost' means what, exactly?

'Cost' is the opportunity that you have to give up in order to do something else. But how can this concept be measured in dollars?

Was Ronald Reagan a good president?

Sunday, Feb. 6, will be the centenary of his birth. Looking at the Ronald Reagan presidency from today, can we get any sense of how he rates in history?

The 'lame duck' Congress: an uninspired history

The 'lame duck' Congress begins work this week. Sometimes, these post-election legislative periods are do-nothing disasters.

A new look at political contributions

Big business and big unions pour record-breaking amounts of money into the political process. Both parties benefit – but the country doesn't.

Some stockings are more equal than others?

Once a legislature gets into the business of redressing particular wrongs or helping specified groups, those groups have to be favored at the expense of others. That's not equality under the law.

Can we reinvent the banking industry?

That's the question raised by Laurence Kotlikoff's book, Jimmy Stewart is Dead, which takes readers from a clear-eyed examination of the current financial crisis to radical proposals for banking and financial regulation.

'There is no such thing as macroeconomics.'

Armen Alchian, who said this, features prominently in a new history of UCLA's economics department.

5 great books about obscure presidents

The lives of our worst presidents make surprisingly good reading.

Ben Quayle ad: Who is the worst US president in history?

Economic perspectives against the welfare state

Ancient Roman Senator Marcus Tullius Cicero spoke out against the welfare state, and ever since then politicians, economists and scholars have reeled against it.

Is class conflict to blame for riots in Greece and 'Tea Party' movement?

From both the Marxian and the classical liberal perspective, class conflict may have a strong influence in events such as the riots in Greece and the 'Tea Party' movement.

The deceptions of false prosperity

Obama, health care, and the new road to serfdom

Unless those who love liberty stop it, the radical ideological belief in political paternalism and the welfare state may leave nothing but tyranny and poverty for generations to come.

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Obama's speech: An inaugural past not hard to surpass

Many inaugural addresses have droned on, dwelling on Roman history or forgotten legislative quarrels.

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