Digging Out

July has been brutal. Between family vacations and wall-to-wall house guests, I haven’t had much time to write. But now that the month is winding down, I’m gearing up to continue providing weekly commentary and analysis on culture, policy, and liberalism starting next week. Meanwhile, I wanted to highlight some Substacks I read regularly that I think my readers would benefit from. Check them out below.

• The JusTN Case. Full disclosure: this page is run by a close friend of mine, Justin Hayes. If you want insightful analysis on stadium subsidies, threats to free speech, and housing policy—specifically as they relate to Tennessee and Nashville—then this is the place for you. Justin’s commentary is indispensable when it comes to these issues.

• Aaron Ross Powell. Founder of Libertarianism.org and one of the most valuable libertarian thinkers today. His espousal of the cosmopolitan and emancipatory case for liberty is sorely needed in this nadir of libertarian thought we currently live in.

• Freddie deBoer. I don’t think I need to say much here—you probably already have an opinion about him. Either way, read his work. Whether you like him or not, you’ll benefit from engaging with it.

•  The UnPopulist. From their “about” page:  “If you are concerned about the worldwide slide of liberal democracy and the rise of authoritarian leaders and politicians spouting an intolerant and bellicose populist nationalism, including in the United States, then this is your magazine.” Read it if you care about liberalism in these illiberal times.

• Bleeding Heart Libertarian (BHL). Philosopher Matt Zwolinski examines ideas worth preserving: individual liberty, free markets, and limited government. This blog has a long history dating back to 2011 when it featured a wide array of contributors focused on free markets and social justice. Fortunately for us, Zwolinski has recently revived the brand, and we get to reap all the benefits. If you care about liberty and social justice, this is the Substack for you.

I’ll be back next week with a new post. I hope you enjoy these important and exciting writers in the meantime.

Eric