Commentary

Across Civitas Outlook and the broader media landscape, our scholars provide timely insights into issues of national significance.

Under Trump, Skilled Immigration Is Still Working Fine

If anything, America’s appeal is growing.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Mar 3, 2026
Richard Epstein on Roman Law and Sociobiology

How and why Roman law worked, how it eventually fell apart, and sociobiology as a way to explain the foundations and limits of legal norms.

Richard Epstein
Pursuit of Happiness
Mar 1, 2026
California’s Green Policies Destroy Blue-Collar Jobs

The problem here lies not with racism, or lack of reparations, as Newsom and “progressives” insist, but with their own policies, which devastate minority communities.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Feb 28, 2026
The Myth of the Post-Industrial Economy

The time for an industrial renaissance is now.

Joel Kotkin
Economic Dynamism
Feb 28, 2026
State Courts Can’t Run Foreign Policy
Constitutionalism
Feb 24, 2026
Supreme Court tariff ruling should end complaints that justices favor Trump
Constitutionalism
Feb 20, 2026
Silicon Valley is pivoting away from Trump
Pursuit of Happiness
Feb 10, 2026
Downtowns are dying, but we know how to save them
Economic Dynamism
Feb 3, 2026
There's a Perception Gap With the U.S. Economy
Politics
Feb 2, 2026
California Wealth Tax Backers Ignore Proposition 13 Lessons
Politics
Jan 25, 2026
All commentary
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
International Law Is Holding Democracies Back
Politics
Jan 25, 2026
Trump purged America’s Leftist toxins. Now hubris will be his downfall
Politics
Jan 24, 2026
California’s wealth tax tests the limits of progressive politics
Politics
Jan 20, 2026
The end of green energy
Politics
Jan 13, 2026
The Housing Crisis
Economic Dynamism
Jan 8, 2026
Joel Kotkin: Trump aside, Canada and the U.S. need to co-operate
Politics
Jan 7, 2026
Other

Content

London and the Architecture of Creative Growth

Preserving London's creative dynamism will require humility from policymakers and a commitment to keeping the city liveable.

Munira Mirza
Economic Dynamism
Mar 10, 2026
Do Dynamic Societies Leave Workers Behind Economically?

We need a more dynamic economy that can help workers by allowing them to move where they can best use their skills.

Sam Dumitriu
Economic Dynamism
Mar 3, 2026
National Civitas Institute Poll: Americans are Anxious and Frustrated, Creating a Challenging Environment for Leaders

The poll reveals a deeply pessimistic American electorate, with a majority convinced the nation is on the wrong track.

Politics
Feb 19, 2026
Do Dynamic Societies Leave Workers Behind Culturally?

Technological change is undoubtedly raising profound metaphysical questions, and thinking clearly about them may be more consequential than ever.

Economic Dynamism
Feb 17, 2026
The War on Disruption

The only way we can challenge stagnation is by attacking the underlying narratives. What today’s societies need is a celebration of messiness.

Economic Dynamism
Feb 9, 2026
Unlocking Public Value: A Proposal for AI Opportunity Zones

Governments often regulate AI’s risks without measuring its rewards—AI Opportunity Zones would flip the script by granting public institutions open access to advanced systems in exchange for transparent, real-world testing that proves their value on society’s toughest challenges.

Economic Dynamism
Feb 4, 2026
The Rise of Latino America

In The Rise of Latino America, Hernandez & Kotkin argue that Latinos, who are projected to become America’s largest ethnic group, are a dynamic force shaping the nation’s demographic, economic, and cultural future. Far from being a marginalized group defined by oppression, Latinos are integral to America’s story. They drive economic growth, cultural evolution, and workforce vitality. Challenges, however, including poverty, educational disparities, and restrictive policies, threaten their upward mobility. Policymakers who wish to harness Latino potential to ensure national prosperity and resilience should adopt policies that prioritize affordability, safety, and economic opportunity over ideological constraints.

Joel Kotkin, Jennifer Hernandez, Wendell Cox, Marshall Toplansky, Erika Ozuna
Pursuit of Happiness
Nov 10, 2025

The Libertarian

The inimitable Richard Epstein offers his unique perspective on national developments in public policy and the law.

View all
** items

Law Talk

Welcome to Law Talk with Richard Epstein and John Yoo. Our show is hosted by Charles C. W. Cooke.

View all
** items

Peter Robinson Unbridled

A new show and podcast bringing the energy of Austin to wide-ranging conversations on politics, economics, education, and culture.

View all
** items

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

Steven Hayward brings you the Power Line Blog's perspective on the week's big headlines.

View all
** items

Trump’s Iran Operation Is Legal, Just, and Overdue

Politics
Sept 15, 24
42:33

‘Big Difference’ Between Investigating a Sitting and Former President: Ex-dDeputy Assistant AG

Politics
Sept 15, 24
5:01

Richard Reinsch Warns of Escalating Political Retaliation as Debate Turns to Conservatism, Violence, and Executive Power

Politics
Sept 15, 24
20:26

UChicago Prof. Richard Epstein Weighs in on the Supreme Court’s Decision Regarding Trump’s Tariffs

Constitutionalism
Sept 15, 24
22:50

Is Scientific Progress Best Achieved Through Publicly Funded Research Initiatives?

Economic Dynamism
Sept 15, 24
1:33:52
Join the newsletter

Get the Civitas Outlook daily digest, plus new research and events.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.