Civitas Outlook

Civitas Outlook, the online journal of the Civitas Institute, publishes original writing about the ideas that create flourishing societies.

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The Reckless American

The Reckless American

Even our noblest heroes have their rash and daring moments, impulsive decisions which are, in fact, critical to their eventual success.

Mark Bauerlein
Pursuit of Happiness
Oct 24, 2025

Waging Municipal Lawfare

Waging Municipal Lawfare

The limited authority of local governments to initiate public interest litigation is a matter of law, not politics.

Doug Peterson, Michael Toth
Constitutionalism
Oct 23, 2025

What Game Are We Playing?

What Game Are We Playing?

If you decide to play Calvinball, you have become a partisan of Calvinball.

John Grove
Constitutionalism
Oct 23, 2025

All topics

Civitas Outlook seeks understanding from a variety of authors, ideas, and disciplines. Choose a specific topic above or explore our full library.

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The Lion Rises and the Eagle Soars
Juliana Geran Pilon
Politics
Jun 24, 2025
What Skrmetti Should Have Said
Josh Blackman
Constitutionalism
Jun 23, 2025
American Aspiration – a Blueprint
Ryan Streeter
Economic Dynamism
Jun 20, 2025
The Burden of Debt and the Gift of Work
John C. Pinheiro
Pursuit of Happiness
Jun 20, 2025
Today’s Upside-Down Preference for Wind over Natural Gas
Richard Epstein
Economic Dynamism
Jun 19, 2025
Putting the Judicial Branch in Its Place
Linda Denno
Constitutionalism
Jun 19, 2025

Economic Dynamism

We consider the principles, policies, and culture that supports free market capitalism

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Trump's Industrial Policies Will Strangle Growth
Richard Epstein
Economic Dynamism
Oct 22, 2025
The Reign of the Greenback
Alex J. Pollock
Economic Dynamism
Oct 16, 2025
Don’t Choose Your Own Adventure: Understanding Middle-Class Earnings Trends
Scott Winship
Economic Dynamism
Oct 15, 2025
The Tariff Debacle Is Renewed
Richard Epstein
Economic Dynamism
Oct 15, 2025
A Nobel Prize for Innovation, Dynamism, and Creative Destruction
Jonathan Hartley
Economic Dynamism
Oct 14, 2025
Trump Delivers Mixed Results on Health Reform
Sally C. Pipes
Economic Dynamism
Oct 14, 2025

Politics

We investigate what it means to be a constitutional people who remain tethered to the rule of law.

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Why Reagan Crushed the PATCO Strike
Tevi Troy
Politics
Oct 16, 2025
Jefferson's Complex Legacy on Slavery and Race
Richard Samuelson
Politics
Oct 10, 2025
That Elusive Gaza Solution
Richard Epstein
Politics
Oct 9, 2025
Is Post-Liberalism a Real Remedy?
Graham McAleer
Politics
Oct 8, 2025
The Path to Civility
David C. Rose
Politics
Oct 8, 2025
The Wages of War and Punishment
John Yoo
Politics
Oct 2, 2025

Constitutionalism

We discuss the political thought that undergirds a society of freedom and virtue.

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Living With and Coping With Gerrymandering
Richard Epstein
Constitutionalism
Sep 10, 2025
Humphrey’s Executor and the Future of Presidential Power
Aaron L. Nielson
Constitutionalism
Sep 9, 2025
Restoring the Constitution’s Presidency: Modifying Myers and Overruling Humphrey’s
Robert G. Natelson
Constitutionalism
Sep 9, 2025
What Could the Supreme Court Rule About Trump's Tariffs?
John Yoo
Constitutionalism
Sep 8, 2025
Sen. Warren's Hollow Call for Fed Accountability
Leonidas Zelmanovitz
Constitutionalism
Sep 4, 2025
The Failed Lower Court Revolt
Josh Blackman
Constitutionalism
Sep 2, 2025

Pursuit of Happiness

We explore how citizens, neighbors, workers, families, and communities shape the future of American society.

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The Reckless American
Mark Bauerlein
Pursuit of Happiness
Oct 24, 2025
Bodies, Selves, and the Quest for Identity
Rachel Lu
Pursuit of Happiness
Oct 21, 2025
A Doctor In Full
Ronald W. Dworkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Oct 17, 2025
Racing Earnhardt
Emina Melonic
Pursuit of Happiness
Oct 17, 2025
Dallin Oaks: From Legal Giant to Leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Aaron L. Nielson
Pursuit of Happiness
Oct 15, 2025
Conversion by Inches?
Brian Smith
Pursuit of Happiness
Oct 10, 2025

Technology & Innovation

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More from the

Civitas Institute

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Braver Angels Debate: DOGE - Mostly Good or Mostly Bad?

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Who we are

We are a community of scholars exploring the ideas and institutions that create flourishing societies.

The Civitas Institute is part of the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin.

Independent thought, civil discourse, reasoned deliberation and intellectual curiosity are central to our ethos.

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