Commentary: Power and the poor
In this week's Acton Commentary I examine the foundations of what is today identified as the "preferential option for the poor" in writings that appeared 125 years ago, Pope Leo's Rerum Novarum and Abraham Kuyper's "The Social Question and the Christian Religion." Continue Reading...
Radio Free Acton: Victoria Coates on the art of democracy
In this edition of Radio Free Acton, we speak with cultural historian and author Victoria Coates on the capacity of democracy to inspire great works of art. Coates is the author of David's Sling: The History of Democracy in Ten Works of Art, and spoke on the topic as part of the 2016 Acton Lecture Series. Continue Reading...
In today's Acton Commentary, I offer a brief reflection on the results of Election Day in the United States, "Politics, Character, and Competition." I've heard a lot of wisdom and a lot of foolishness in the hours since the final results were announced. Continue Reading...
Video: Victoria Coates On How Democracy Inspires Great Art
On November 3rd, Acton welcomed Victoria C. G. Coates, cultural historian and Ph.D, to talk about her argument that democracy has had a unique capacity to inspire some of the greatest artistic achievements of western civilization. Continue Reading...
Why great men are almost always bad men
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely," is the most famous quote by the English Catholic historian Sir John Dalberg-Acton. But what exactly did he mean by it? That particular quote comes from a letter to Bishop Creighton in which Lord Acton explains that historians should condemn murder, theft, and violence whether committed by an individual, the state, or the Church. Continue Reading...
Video: Rev. Robert A. Sirico At Acton's 26th Anniversary Dinner
On October 27, 2016, Acton Institute President Rev. Robert A. Sirico addressed the audience at the Acton Institute's 26th Anniversary Dinner in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In his remarks, he reflected on the state of American politics and culture, the societal crisis we find ourselves in, and proposed a way forward based on a vision of a free and virtuous society. Continue Reading...
Video: Rev. Robert A. Sirico at Acton University 2016
On June 17th, Acton Institute President and Co-founder Rev. Robert A. Sirico delivered the final evening plenary address of Acton University 2016. We're pleased to present the video of his address here on the PowerBlog. Continue Reading...
Christianity and the Rise of Capital
"Money has not only the character of money," says Samuel Gregg in this week's Acton Commentary, "but it also has a productive character which we commonly call capital." Like all medieval clergy, Olivi and Bernardine fiercely opposed usury. Continue Reading...
Video: A Gentleman's Debate – Distributism vs. Free Markets with Jay Richards and Joseph Pearce
On February 18th, the Acton Institute was pleased to welcome Jay Richards and Joseph Pearce to our Mark Murray Auditorium for an exchange on two distinct ideas on economics: Distributism vs. Continue Reading...
Audio: Todd Huizinga Talks Global Governance and the New Totalitarian Temptation
Todd Huizinga, Acton's Director of International Outreach, joined host John J. Miller of National Review to discuss his new book, The New Totalitarian Temptation, on the Bookmonger Podcast at Ricochet. Continue Reading...
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