Posts by Kishore Jayabalan
September 30, 2019
This will be my last letter from Rome, as I am resigning as director of Istituto Acton, effective tomorrow, October 1. I started writing these monthly pieces in January 2010 to give you some idea of what it’s like to live and work in the Eternal City, with occasional missives from different parts of the world that I visited. Continue Reading...
September 02, 2019
Letter from Rome: Amazonian myths, civilizational despair
We should be skeptical of conspiracy theories, mainly because they assume too much skill and intelligence from conspirators. Experience tells us ignorance and incompetence are much more common among those holding power and influence. Continue Reading...
August 23, 2019
Italy’s usual political turmoil
I appeared on EWTN News Nightly yesterday to talk about the collapse of the Italian government.
Such turmoil is nothing new in Italy. Discontent with the political class is the main reason there was a populist coalition government in the first place. Continue Reading...
August 05, 2019
Letter from China: Civic virtue without freedom?
I spent most of July traveling to various parts of the People’s Republic of China. Although I made brief trips to Hong Kong in 2000 and Beijing in 2016, I have never experienced anything remotely similar to this more extended stay. Continue Reading...
July 01, 2019
Letter from Rome: American vs. European Nationalism
Last month’s Sohrab Ahmari-David French debate was the more recent skirmish about the meaning of American conservatism. Acton’s Joe Carter has helpfully compiled a reading list without appearing to favor one side over the other. Continue Reading...
May 28, 2019
Can intellectuals actually win elections?
In my previous Letter from Rome, I asked whether populists have the capacity to govern, given the failings of the Italian coalition made up of left-wing and right-wing populists and their apparent disdain for ideology. Continue Reading...
May 16, 2019
Yet another example of how the Vatican misunderstands America…and economics
After almost twenty years in Rome, I’ve learned not to insist too much on the Vatican reading the USA with any kind of accuracy, so I usually don’t feel the need to comment on every little misunderstanding coming from the Roman Curia. Continue Reading...
May 02, 2018
Letter from Rome: Alfie’s political lessons
September 22, 2016
Angus Deaton schools Italians on economics
February 15, 2016