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Civitas Conversations: Michael Toth on Zohran Mamdani and the Future of Progressivism
Michael Toth and Richard Reinsch discuss the New York City mayoral candidacy of Zorhan Mamdani and what it means for the future of New York and how Texas will capitalize on the city's potential failures.
Civitas Outlook editor-in-chief Richard M. Reinsch II interviews Michael Toth about his recent Outlook piece titled "Escape from New York," which explores how high taxes and heavy regulation are pushing companies and residents out of New York.
Toth's article warns that policies proposed by socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani—like rent freezes and profit caps—could accelerate the exodus. In contrast, cities like Austin and states like Texas are attracting growth by reducing red tape, adding to the housing supply, and creating business-friendly environments.
Michael Toth is a research fellow with the Civitas Institute and a seasoned tech general counsel with over fifteen years of corporate counsel and litigation experience. He has served as a lawyer in the Marine Corps and a senior counsel at the Texas Office of Attorney General.
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Politics
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Liberal Democracy Reexamined: Leo Strauss on Alexis de Tocqueville
This article explores Leo Strauss’s thoughts on Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1954 “Natural Right” course transcript.
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Long Distance Migration as a Two-Step Sorting Process: The Resettlement of Californians in Texas
Here we press the question of whether the well-documented stream of migrants relocating from California to Texas has been sufficient to alter the political complexion of the destination state.
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Who's That Knocking? A Study of the Strategic Choices Facing Large-Scale Grassroots Canvassing Efforts
Although there is a consensus that personalized forms of campaign outreach are more likely to be effective at either mobilizing or even persuading voters, there remains uncertainty about how campaigns should implement get-out-the-vote (GOTV) programs, especially at a truly expansive scale.

DC and LA Failures Play Into Trump’s Hands
Although clearly violating America’s long-standing federalist principles, Trump’s incursions are being justified by the incompetence of most blue-city leaders.

Not-So-Beautiful Losers: How Conservatism Won the Cold War – and Lost the Peace
Buchanan's populism, unlike Reagan's appeals, wasn't anchored in the spiritual realities at the heart of the American Founding. Much of the same is evident in Buchanan's latter-day disciples.

Why Israel May Sue the New York Times
Jed Rubenfeld was wrong to argue that Israel could not bring a civil action against the New York Times in a New York court.