Commentary — The Great Anchor

The Great Anchor

The Senate's Problem Isn't the Filibuster, It's a Lack of Open Debate

The Senate's Problem Isn't the Filibuster, It's a Lack of Open Debate

CongressJames WallnerFebruary 1, 2021Senate, Filibuster, Nuclear Option, Richard RussellComment

The Conservative Disposition

The Conservative Disposition

Political Theory, ElectionsJames WallnerJanuary 1, 2021ConservatismComment

Winning Elections Won’t Fix Our Broken Legislature

Winning Elections Won’t Fix Our Broken Legislature

Elections, Congress, Political Theory, Political ScienceJames WallnerDecember 15, 2020Senate, Polarization, 2020 Election, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, David Perdue, Kelly Loeffler, James Madison, Federalist 48 Comment

McConnell is not all-powerful against Biden's Cabinet nominees

McConnell is not all-powerful against Biden's Cabinet nominees

Elections, CongressJames WallnerNovember 20, 2020Senate, Joe Biden, 2020 Election, Georgia Special Elections, Majority Leader, Senate Rules, Confirmation Process, Merrick Garland, Mitch McConnellComment

If Democrats take the Senate, here's how the GOP can still stop their agenda

If Democrats take the Senate, here's how the GOP can still stop their agenda

Congress, ElectionsJames WallnerNovember 13, 2020Senate, obstruction, Senate RulesComment

Forget ghostly apparitions…the Senate has disappeared!

Forget ghostly apparitions…the Senate has disappeared!

CongressJames WallnerNovember 3, 2020Senate dysfunctionComment

The Constitution ensures no one rules America

The Constitution ensures no one rules America

Political Theory, ConstitutionJames WallnerOctober 29, 2020Federalist 47, Federalist 48, Polybius, James Madison, Steven Levitsky, Daniel Ziblatt, Donald Trump, Minority Rule, Majority Rule, ConstitutionComment

With Amy Coney Barrett, Democrats hold a master class on how to lose a Senate debate

With Amy Coney Barrett, Democrats hold a master class on how to lose a Senate debate

SenateJames WallnerOctober 21, 2020Amy Coney Barrett, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Confirmation Process, Legislative Strategy Comment

Whatever happened to true 'advice and consent' in Supreme Court confirmation hearings?

Whatever happened to true 'advice and consent' in Supreme Court confirmation hearings?

Senate, Presidency, Political TheoryJames WallnerOctober 16, 2020Confirmation Process, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, Judicial Nominations, Amy Coney BarrettComment

For the Supreme Court, 8 Justices Would be Better than 9

For the Supreme Court, 8 Justices Would be Better than 9

An even-numbered court would probably be more functional and less divided.

SenateJames WallnerOctober 7, 2020Confirmation Process, Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Separation of PowersComment

For Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation process, the Constitution is on Senate GOP's side

For Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation process, the Constitution is on Senate GOP's side

SenateJames WallnerSeptember 28, 2020Confirmation Process, Amy Coney Barrett, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, Donald Trump, Supreme Court, Ruth Bader GinsburgComment

Tell Ben Sasse the Senate isn't the problem, senators are

Tell Ben Sasse the Senate isn't the problem, senators are

SenateJames WallnerSeptember 22, 2020Ben Sasse, Senate dysfunction, 17th Amendment, ReformComment

Shall we have a king?

Shall we have a king?

James WallnerAugust 21, 2020Congress, Presidency, Separation of Powers, Constitution, John Jay, George Washington, James Madison, James Wilson, Donald Trump, Ben SasseComment

Speaking up for the Filibuster

Speaking up for the Filibuster

SenateJames WallnerAugust 18, 2020Filibuster, Obstruction, Barack Obama, John LewisComment

What are the politics of protest?

What are the politics of protest?

Political ScienceJames WallnerJune 18, 2020Politics In Question, civil disobedience, Omar Wasow, Politics of ProtestComment

What values are essential in a successful democracy?

What values are essential in a successful democracy?

Political ScienceJames WallnerJune 17, 2020Politics In Question, Democratic Values, Democratic Self-GovernmentComment

Democratic Self-Government and the Problem of Extremism

Democratic Self-Government and the Problem of Extremism

Political Science, Political TheoryJames WallnerJune 11, 2020Politics In Question, Extremism, Democratic Self-GovernmentComment

Norms, Values, and Democratic Self-Government

Norms, Values, and Democratic Self-Government

Political Science, Political TheoryJames WallnerMay 28, 2020Politics In Question, Norms, Democratic ValuesComment

Restoring the Dignity of Politics

Restoring the Dignity of Politics

Political TheoryJames WallnerMay 27, 2020Hannah ArendtComment

Populism and Liberal Democracy

Populism and Liberal Democracy

Political Science, Political TheoryJames WallnerMay 21, 2020Politics In Question, Populism, liberal democracyComment