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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Originalism and Its Adversaries

Originalism and Its Adversaries

At some point, we all end up being in the minority, and when that happens, all those obstacles that seemed horrible when your party was in power will seem the very things that are preventing us from embarking down the road to ruin.

John G. Malcom
Constitutionalism
May 29, 2026

When Mao Took China

When Mao Took China

Having already taught us so much about Chinese Communist history in his previous four books, Dikötter faced a difficult task to add something new. He has done so brilliantly.

Sean McMeekin
Politics
May 29, 2026

Edmund Phelps and the Culture of Dynamism

Edmund Phelps and the Culture of Dynamism

His research led him to a new theory of what he called “indigenous innovation,” whereby economic progress and growth are fueled not by inventions in labs, but by widespread grassroots tinkering and experimentation in the day-to-day economy.

Ryan Streeter
Economic Dynamism
May 28, 2026

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 New Supply Side Economics Can Revive Economic Growth
Jonathan Hartley
Economic Dynamism
Dec 20, 2024
The Future of Entrepreneurship in America
Andreas Widmer
Economic Dynamism
Dec 19, 2024
Building the American Revival
Ryan Bangert
Pursuit of Happiness
Dec 19, 2024
Ending Campus Antisemitism
Paul J. Larkin
Politics
Dec 18, 2024
The Future of Conservatism in America
Steven F. Hayward
Politics
Dec 18, 2024
The Court's Obscenity Jurisprudence Is Due for Revision
GianCarlo Canaparo
Constitutionalism
Dec 18, 2024

Economic Dynamism

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

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Edmund Phelps and the Culture of Dynamism
Ryan Streeter
Economic Dynamism
May 28, 2026
The Contested Legacy of Keynes’ 'General Theory'
Joshua Banerjee
Economic Dynamism
May 27, 2026
Edmund Phelps: Economist of Values
Economic Dynamism
May 26, 2026
AI Vulnerability Can Spur Tech Progress
Economic Dynamism
May 26, 2026
The Beginning of the Warsh Fed Era
Economic Dynamism
May 22, 2026
Proxy Advisors Vote “No” on Texas
Michael Toth
Economic Dynamism
May 21, 2026

Politics

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

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When Mao Took China
Sean McMeekin
Politics
May 29, 2026
Does Amtrak Really Need Airport-Level Security?: A Response to Jonathan Hartley
Amy Swearer
Politics
May 28, 2026
AI Governance by Phone Call
Kevin Frazier
Politics
May 26, 2026
The Rebooted Animal Farm’s New Villain: Capitalism
Titus Techera
Politics
May 22, 2026
The Future of ESG and DEI
Paul Mueller
Politics
May 20, 2026
Mamdani’s Baseless Invocation of International Law
Tal Fortgang
Politics
May 19, 2026

Constitutionalism

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

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It’s Time to Combat Abuse of Agency Guidance – Again.
Aaron L. Nielson
Constitutionalism
Apr 21, 2026
SAVE America, SAVE the Senate
Constitutionalism
Apr 20, 2026
Justice Clarence Thomas, "Remarks on the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence"
Constitutionalism
Apr 20, 2026
Trump Refights the “War” That Congress and the Burger Court “Waged” Against President Nixon’s Tapes
Josh Blackman
Constitutionalism
Apr 14, 2026
The Many Myths of Birthright Citizenship
Richard Epstein
Constitutionalism
Apr 9, 2026
Supreme Court Justly Skeptical of Trump Administration’s Anti-Birthright Citizenship Executive Order
Constitutionalism
Apr 7, 2026

Pursuit of Happiness

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

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The Radicalism of Harvey Mansfield
Michael Lucchese
Pursuit of Happiness
May 28, 2026
Arthur Brooks’ Pursuit of Happiness
Arthur Herman
Pursuit of Happiness
May 27, 2026
Why Historians Have Abandoned the Presidency—And Why It Matters     
Pursuit of Happiness
May 25, 2026
'Pluribus' Is About More Than 'the Warmth of Collectivism'
Jonathan Miltimore
Pursuit of Happiness
May 8, 2026
Why Humans Aren’t Clever Chimps
Ronald W. Dworkin
Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 24, 2026
“Project Hail Mary’s” Success: A Story You Can Believe In
Titus Techera
Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 17, 2026

Technology & Innovation

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

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

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

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