How JFK’s World View Shaped His Presidency
On the 100th anniversary of the birth of John F. Kennedy, let's examine his world view as President in the middle of the Cold War.
How Noah Webster Invented the Word Immigration
Noah Webster, author of An American Dictionary of the English Language published in 1828, invented the word "immigration."
Why Did U.S. Postmasters Once Have So Much Political Cachet?
American bureaucracy used to work through patronage, an informal system of job-distribution by the party in power. Why did it change?
“Filibuster” Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Does
The term "filibuster" used to refer to Americans who went to foreign countries to fight in their wars without the government’s permission.
Gareth Dale on the Past and Future of Capitalism
An interview with Gareth Dale on his work on Karl Polanyi, and the past and future of capitalism.
Noblesse Oblige in American Politics
What responsibility does the very wealthy have to the rest of the population? United States governor Winthrop Rockefeller provides a historical case study.
The Backfire Effect
The backfire effect is when people double-down on their beliefs even when these beliefs are shown to be factually incorrect.
The U.S. Representative Who Tried to Outlaw War
Jeanette Rankin was the first woman to become a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. And she once tried to outlaw war.
Sanctuary Cities Are as Old as The Bible
Sanctuary cities like New York and Los Angeles protect undocumented migrants from deportation. The concept behind them has ancient and religious roots.
Woodrow Wilson, Mental Health, and the White House
The historical debate about the nature of Woodrow Wilson's health is intertwined with questions about his self-righteous character.