Politics & Current Affairs — October 10, 2010

Does Money Buy Congress?

“For all the money sloshing around in American politics, you still cannot buy the results of elections.” The Economist says the law of diminishing returns applies to campaign money.

bigthinkeditor

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

“It is fair to say that the Supreme Court of Chief Justice John Roberts is not extravagantly admired by Democrats. Of all its conservative rulings, the one they find most enraging as November’s mid-term elections approach is undoubtedly its 5-4 decision in January in the case of Citizens United. … Politics in the United States is contaminated by money in many ways. But if the Democrats are hammered in November, it will not be because of the judicial activism of a conservative Supreme Court. It will be because they have done too few things that voters admire, and too many they do not like. To that extent at least, American democracy remains in rude health.”

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Surprising Science

Our Founding Fathers Never Imagined Congress Would Behave This Badly

James Madison’s analysis of the American republic is often praised for its brilliance, but the 4th president could not have envisioned the chutzpah and anti-government zeal of the 2013 House Republicans.

Surprising Science

A Year of Praxis: What Philosophy Teaches Us About Politics, Rationality and the Pursuit of Happiness

“The owl of Minerva,” Hegel wrote, “takes its flight only when the shades of night are gathering.” A year ago I launched Praxis as a forum for thinking reflectively about […]

Culture & Religion

The Buying and Selling of the Public Schools

The line of battle for the future of public education is clear. The first side has money, powerful political connections, and an infrastructure of nonprofit organizations with paid staff. The other side has this: the ability to become a true grassroots movement.

Illustration of a person standing on a ladder inside a large head with a maze-like brain exposed, symbolizing introspection or exploration of the mind.

Neuropsych

Is teaching psychology a waste of time?

When appraising human behavior, people tend to forgo the lessons of psychology in favor of assumption and anecdote.

A red number 5 with orange flames extending from the left on a dark background, symbolizing the fiery drive to improve company culture.

Business

5 ways to rapidly improve your company culture

Don’t become one of those organizations that slouches toward positive behavioral change — here’s how to move fast.

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Culture & Religion

The Letters of Saul Bellow

“Saul Bellow’s letters are to be published later this month, five years after his death. Letters to Philip Roth and Martin Amis provide a taster of the much-anticipated collection.”