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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“Project Hail Mary’s” Success: A Story You Can Believe In

“Project Hail Mary’s” Success: A Story You Can Believe In

The film features a weak, defeated man who turns from a coward to a hero, from selfishness to sacrifice, and from loneliness to friendship.

Titus Techera
Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 17, 2026

Is Economics a Failure?

Is Economics a Failure?

Rather than ending with “economics is broken,” Alexander Rosenberg’s deliberately provocative book 'Blunt Instrument' argues that “economics is useful for a different reason than economists often say.” That is a serious and worthwhile thesis.

Michael Munger
Economic Dynamism
Apr 16, 2026

The Constitution of Academic Freedom

The Constitution of Academic Freedom

“If the university no longer seeks the production and dissemination of knowledge, it loses the primary justification for its academic freedom.”

Luke C. Sheahan
Higher Education
Apr 16, 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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“Project Hail Mary’s” Success: A Story You Can Believe In
Titus Techera
Pursuit of Happiness
Apr 17, 2026
Is Economics a Failure?
Michael Munger
Economic Dynamism
Apr 16, 2026
The Constitution of Academic Freedom
Luke C. Sheahan
Higher Education
Apr 16, 2026
Locke, Meet Claude
Kevin Frazier
Economic Dynamism
Apr 15, 2026
Is There Anything New Under the AI Sun?
Richard Epstein
Economic Dynamism
Apr 15, 2026
Antisemitism and the American Right
Melissa Langsam Braunstein
Politics
Apr 14, 2026

Economic Dynamism

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

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Is Economics a Failure?
Michael Munger
Economic Dynamism
Apr 16, 2026
Locke, Meet Claude
Kevin Frazier
Economic Dynamism
Apr 15, 2026
Is There Anything New Under the AI Sun?
Richard Epstein
Economic Dynamism
Apr 15, 2026
The Partisan Tax Divide Cuts Deeper Than You Think
Thomas Savidge
Economic Dynamism
Apr 13, 2026
Lina Khan’s Continued Influence on the FTC
Jessica Melugin
Economic Dynamism
Apr 6, 2026
A Year of Tariff-Induced Stagnation
Richard Stern
Economic Dynamism
Apr 2, 2026

Politics

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

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Antisemitism and the American Right
Melissa Langsam Braunstein
Politics
Apr 14, 2026
The Logic of Pressing for Change in Cuba Now
Ryan C. Berg
Politics
Apr 8, 2026
Another Reason for Regime Change: Iran’s Flagrant Assault on the Rules of War
John Yoo
Politics
Apr 3, 2026
The Iran War and the Future of the American Right
Thomas D. Howes
Politics
Apr 3, 2026
The Politicization of the Scientific Method
Richard Epstein
Politics
Apr 2, 2026
Parliament, Country, and Friendship
Luke Foster
Politics
Mar 25, 2026

Constitutionalism

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

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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
The Arc of Justice Alito
Constitutionalism
Apr 7, 2026
Getting Right With Scalia
Aaron L. Nielson
Constitutionalism
Apr 7, 2026
Dishonor and the Civil Service
Aaron L. Nielson
Constitutionalism
Mar 30, 2026

Pursuit of Happiness

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

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The Dignity of Relational Beings
Ainsley Weber
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 31, 2026
Adams’ Duplicitous Cabinet
Myron Magnet
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 27, 2026
The Mores of Machines
Thomas Dias
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 19, 2026
Gratitude, Grit, and Miracles: The New Facts of Jewish Life in America
Tal Fortgang
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 17, 2026
Becoming All-American
Titus Techera
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 6, 2026
The Original Sin of U.S. Health Care
Avik Roy
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 4, 2026

Technology & Innovation

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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 University of Texas at Austin.

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

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