Starting Points

The Place Where It All Starts

Hanging Together: The Problem of Difference and Disagreement in a Democracy


The following is a conversation with Eric Cheng about his recently published book, Hanging Together: Role-Based Constitutional Fellowship and the Challenge of Difference and Disagreement (Cambridge University Press, 2022). Eric, I recently had the chance to spend some time with your latest book, Hanging Together: Role-Based Constitutional Fellowship and the Challenge of Difference and Disagreement. [...]

Liberal Education and Citizenship in a Self-Governing Republic


The following is a conversation with Donald Drakeman about his recently published article, "Business Needs Humanities to Succeed," and upcoming book chapter (both co-authored with Kendall Hack), which argue for the inclusion of humanities learning in America's business schools. “Prioritizing the humanities will not only help business students be more thoughtful citizens—certainly the best reason [...]

State Police Powers and the Founders’ Constitutionalism


Alan, I just read this paragraph in this essay by David French: "The states, by contrast, possess a general police power—an inherent authority that is then limited by both the state and federal Constitution. A governor or state legislature can often act without a specific grant of power. The power to act is presumed, absent a specific limitation." [...]

Veterans and Civic Education


The Joe Foss Institute has recently merged with the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership at ASU, which seems a natural pairing given the Institute’s dedication to civic education and leadership. Let me start with a basic question about the Institute’s mission. Who was Joe Foss and how are you carrying out his [...]

Christianity and the American Founding


Your new book Did America Have a Christian Founding? Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth has been getting a lot of attention (as it should). Let me start by asking a basic question about the subtitle that I want you to answer, as if you were on Twitter, in 280 characters or less. What is [...]