Many of us who love our region consider Wallace Stegner our most perceptive and insightful observer and constructive critic. He chastised a political economy and culture that fostered “boomers,” folks who high-graded, exploited, then bailed out. He admonished us to create a society worthy of our scenery and urged us to foster “nesters,” individuals who […]
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In 1968 I had the immense good fortune to work with Garrett Hardin, a distinguished ecologist. His Science article, “The Tragedy of the Commons,” is the most reprinted article in the magazine’s history. Together, Garrett and I produced a book in print for nearly 20 years, Managing the Commons. (A second edition is published by […]
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We’re in the midst of a landscaping project. It includes truckloads of a substance called “Beauty Bark.” Paying for this material reminded me of the difference between economic growth and economic progress. This is a happy story — and not only because of our more attractive yard. It demonstrates how ecological improvements flow from better […]
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We recently returned from the 2004 general meeting of the Mont Pèlerin Society (MPS). This organization was founded in 1947 by intellectuals committed to resisting tyranny of the left and the right. They built the intellectual analogues to bullets and bombs. Their vision was realized on November 10, 1989, when the Berlin Wall fell. Three […]
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Rather than baling hay and irrigating, Ramona and I have spent this summer planning the Mont Pèlerin Society (MPS) meeting. This organization hosts the world’s premier Classical Liberals. Classical Liberalism does not refer to FDR and the big-government New Deal. It originated in the 19th century, committed to limiting political power and supporting individual rights. […]
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The Bush administration has authored a proposal that will, for the first time, give Western governors authority to formally propose development in our wildest public lands. This overturns President Clinton’s decision to set aside 40 million acres of National Forest as roadless areas. Although the initiative was criticized as part of the Clinton administration’s “War […]
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The term “entrepreneur” usually invokes images of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, or Bill Gates. Such individuals mobilize ideas and arrange resources to bring new products to market. They have clearly made huge contributions to our wealth and well-being. They have, in fact, democratized luxury. However, the commercial sector has no monopoly on entrepreneurial talent. Consider […]
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In a recent High Country News column, Mark from Missoula lamented: “I’ve given up on one of the great American dreams — owning a home of my own.” He protests: “[I]t’s becoming impossible to find affordable housing in the West, even in the non-resort towns.” He’s wrong. Both his logic and data are flawed. Perhaps […]
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Montana’s current governor, Republican Judy Martz, as well as four Republican gubernatorial candidates favor a return of cyanide leach mining. (One, Ken Miller, flippantly told an audience, “You had some cyanide for lunch” because there were almonds on their chicken.) I object to cyanide on ethical, economic, and ecological grounds. This process violates the most […]
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MSU is producing a five-year “Vision Statement.” The goal is to plan and develop three university-wide priorities: Recruitment, Retention, and Quality Enhancements. “All of these priorities are essential to providing access and success for our students.” My focus below is on recruitment of out-of-state students. Here is the context. Across America, states pay an ever-declining […]
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