Of the things that determine a community’s level of wellbeing, possibly the most important is social capital. The more involved individuals are in voluntary networks, and the more trust people have for others, the more productive, and happier they and their community are apt to be. In many parts of the world people distrust others […]
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Ramona and I delight in ranch life in the Gallatin Gateway community. There are immense social and environmental benefits to this rural setting, notably friends and excellent access to the urban qualities of Bozeman and surrounding outdoor treasures. We have many long-term neighbors we like, admire, and trust. Most are farmers and ranchers with whom […]
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This year is FREE’s 25th anniversary. The initial focus of our work was on the economics and policy analysis of contentious natural resource issues. Our goal was to show how to harmonize environmental quality with America’s founding ideals of liberty and responsible prosperity. Twenty-five years ago environmental problems were addressed almost exclusively through command and […]
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It is surely no accident that the term “bureaucracy” carries a crust of derision in every known language. And yet, with the possible exception of the TSA, most individuals within each bureaucracy normally attempt to do well and want to be liked. Against all odds, some succeed. For example, I’ve found the state auto license […]
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I recommend an insightful column in last Sunday’s Washington Post, “Why are liberals so condescending?” (February 7, 2010) This op-ed is by University of Virginia political scientist Gerard Alexander. It is based on a forthcoming Bradley Lecture at The American Enterprise Institute. The essay is likely to interest individuals who’ve observed that nearly every Prius […]
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I have friends involved in construction, finance, and real estate. None of them, not even those in Bozeman, are prospering as they were two years ago. Several have asked me to speculate on the future. I’ll focus on Bozeman, but will first outline the national context. Initially note that we are among the many victims […]
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I find this Christmas season an especially wonderful time to be in Montana. There is much to celebrate. Even our record snowfall and unusual cold bring blessings. Snow is our summer water for fish and irrigation; cold kills bugs and discourages others. And we have early skiing. Technology reduces cold’s discomforts and dangers; consider today’s […]
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I’m approaching a milestone birthday, my 70th. This is a time for contemplation, satisfaction, and adjustment. I feel fortunate indeed. For many years I’ve asked interns and honor students, “Has anyone told you this is the best time of your life?” They always respond, “Yes, everyone says that.” I’ve always assured them that, unless struck […]
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One of life’s greatest blessings is to live in a community where trust is the norm. This is true for innumerable social, psychological, political, and economic reasons. Trust is indeed a luxury to treasure. Among its other benefits, is that it reduces the costs of all exchanges and transactions. If we trust the person or […]
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Until Barack Obama was elected president, Chicago’s Saul Alinsky was America’s most famous “community organizer.” While Obama never met Alinsky, who died in 1972, I did. It was in the late 1960s, shortly after he published Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals. Here’s how it happened. I was a grad student at […]
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