The Tragedy of the Commons: Wicked Logic
In The Tragedy of the Commons: Rational Actors, I discussed linear vs. spiral logic. I suggested that western logic tended to be more linear and Islamic and other cultures, perhaps more spiral. But that is a generalization based on today’s…
The Tragedy of the Commons: The Political Commons
I first came across the problem (tragedy) of the commons in a political science course in grad school. We read a remarkable work by Elinor Ostrom about the problem. Her work both resonated with me and left me looking for…
The Tragedy of the Commons: Rational Actor
This is a follow on to Tragedy of the Commons: The Political Commons. It specifically looks at the rationality implied in Ostrom’s 8 points and the Rational Actor/Choice, Game, and Agency theories. What happens if the rational hypothesis fails…
Social Justice and the Free-Rider Problem
Lead image Source: cse.hkust.edu.uk This blog picks up on prior entries on the tragedy of the commons, rational actors, regulatory capture, and rent-seeking. For reference, see these blogs: The Tragedy of the Commons: The Political Commons The Tragedy of…
Can a Free Republic be a Superpower: Part 4 Toxic Debt
Toxic Debt threatens not only the ability to be a superpower, but our entire way of life. When I was in Bosnia right after the 911 attacks, many of our soldiers said this could never happen in the US. I…
Can a Republic be a Superpower Part 3: Operational Security, Transparency, and Security
When I looked at the question, Can a Free Republic be a Superpower?, the conflict between transparency and security troubled me. I set the series aside for a bit and was reminded of it when I wrote a post…
Can a Free Republic be a Superpower: Part 2b: Superpower or Sleeping Giant?
Potential Energy (source https://www.livescience.com/65548-potential-energy.html) Japanese Admiral Yamamoto reportedly said, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” after WWII. The US quickly mobilized society and all elements of…
Part 3a – Cognitive 101
Part 3a – Cognitive 101 This is a long, technical piece to provide some background on cognitive issues discussed in the series. It skims the surface of many key issues but provides an extensive bibliography for even more in-depth research…
The Fentanyl Attack
With all the reporting on the fentanyl crisis, a question has been growing in my mind: Why would a drug cartel want to kill off its customers? For that is exactly what is happening with fentanyl. The answer may be…
Part 1-Citizen Resiliency in a Republic
Truth Is the First Casualty in War “God is not averse to deceit in a just cause.” Aeschylus “Truth is not the first casualty of war alone: it is the first casualty of populism “ Theodore Dalrymple “Truth is…
