Posts by Rev. Ben Johnson
July 04, 2018
On this Fourth of July, the U.S. ambassador to the UK has written an op-ed encouraging the government to embrace the spirit of the Declaration of Independence. Robert Wood Johnson’s op-ed points to the special relationship that grew up following our Revolution to strengthen Theresa May’s flagging resolve as Brexit talks lumber forward. Continue Reading...
July 03, 2018
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Catholic spokeswoman?
The day after she bested a 10-term congressman by 16 points in a Democratic Party primary, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made an unlikely literary debut: She published an article in a Jesuit magazine burnishing her Catholic bona fides. Continue Reading...
June 29, 2018
Book review, ‘The Human Advantage’ by Jay Richards
Forecasts of an impending “robot apocalypse” have haunted intellectuals and caused some entrepreneurs to demand a universal basic income. But what if there’s something intrinsic to the human person that cannot be automated into oblivion? Continue Reading...
June 28, 2018
‘Who is Juan de Mariana’ explained in 8 minutes
Economists’ appreciation for the School of Salamanca, and the contribution that it made to their discipline, has grown in recent years. An economics professor has just released a podcast encapsulating the teachings of its best-known figure, the Jesuit theologian Juan de Mariana – and it takes just eight minutes of your time. Continue Reading...
June 27, 2018
North Korea: Another ‘mode of development’? (video)
As noted, some members of the Alt-Right have an unusual affinity for North Korea as a bastion of nationalist, anti-imperialist, racial collectivism. Not all of the Kim dynasty’s supporters are utterly powerless. Continue Reading...
June 25, 2018
Why does the Alt-Right extol North Korea?
North Korea may seem like an odd choice for a white nationalist’s utopia, but then these are odd times. A significant portion of the Alt-Right has become enchanted with, or at least willing to defend, the world’s foremost bastion of Stalinism. Continue Reading...
June 15, 2018
A Samson Option for Ireland’s Catholic hospitals?
National funding of health care has produced a fresh crisis in Europe. Not merely the never-ending “winter crisis” in the NHS each year, but a crisis of conscience for Catholic health care providers. Continue Reading...
June 14, 2018
Daniel Hannan explains why the EU is a hive of corruption
Two paths confront someone faced with an unwanted reality: reform or denial. With a report set to expose persistently high levels of corruption among its member states, the EU chose the latter option, its critics say. Continue Reading...
June 13, 2018
How Germany handles teacher strikes
As the U.S. school year wound to a close, teachers unions waged statewide strikes in West Virginia, Arizona, and Oklahoma, and inspired associated teacher strikes in Colorado, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Continue Reading...
June 08, 2018
‘Satanic’ capitalism brought abortion to Ireland: ‘First Things’ editor
There is much to lament over the Republic of Ireland’s repeal of the Eighth Amendment, including the death of reason among some who have commented on it. This last was lamentably displayed in an essay written by First Things senior editor Matthew Schmitz and published in the Catholic Herald on Thursday. Continue Reading...