R. R. Reno

For a long time it has felt as though the currents of history were always running against us. But the world is turning.  Continue Reading »

Preserving the achievements of our increasingly global system of democratic capitalism requires us to take a long, hard look at its defects.  Continue Reading »

Too many Republicans voted for Roy Moore—conservative voters are embracing the progressive spirit of transgression and rebellion.  Continue Reading »

In this environment—one of decadence, paralysis, and blind armies clashing by night—First Things matters more than ever. Continue Reading »

There are rumors of economic and political heresy at First Things. My reassessment of Michael Novak’s Spirit of Democratic Capitalism earlier this year raised suspicions that I’m guiding the journal in an “anti-capitalist” direction. Some say the magazine flirts with . . . . Continue Reading »

The tax bill's proposed tax on super-sized university endowments is wise—we need less elite education. Continue Reading »

While visiting Mexico last February, Pope Francis intervened in America’s political battles. Although he did not mention Trump’s name, the reference was clear: “A person who thinks only of building walls, wherever it may be, and not of building bridges, is not Christian. This is not in the . . . . Continue Reading »

George W. Bush's speech last week clarified the deep agreement between his agenda and that of center-left Democrats. Continue Reading »

In 2017, we need to restore stability and trustworthiness to civic life—not simply reiterate our defenses of freedom. Continue Reading »

The recent passing of Michael Novak prompted me to take up his masterpiece once again. I first read The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism in the 1980s. At the time, I had no illusions about socialism. It was obviously a failure, economically, politically, and morally. But like so many of my . . . . Continue Reading »