Thomas Walker-Werth's Articles
Politics & Rights
Good Riddance to Jacinda Ardern, Arch-Statist
Thomas Walker-Werth January 24, 2023
If Jacinda Ardern were as empathetic, compassionate, and insightful as most reactions to her departure suggest, she would have respected the rights of New Zealanders, including their liberty to travel and to speak their minds freely. She didn’t, and that is how she should be remembered.
Biographies, Good Living
Five of Richard Branson’s Most Inspiring Moments
Thomas Walker-Werth January 13, 2023
You may have heard of Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Mobile, or Virgin Galactic, but how much do you know about the mastermind behind all the Virgin companies—a man whose entrepreneurial spirit earned him the nickname Dr. Yes?
Politics & Rights
Protesters to China’s Tyrants: ‘Communist Party, Step Down!’
Thomas Walker-Werth December 2, 2022
On November 25, ten people were killed and nine more were injured in a fire in a residential tower in Urumqi, Xinjiang province. Although such fires are common in China, the Urumqi fire exposed the human cost of China’s unjust “zero-COVID” policy and precipitated some of the most overt antigovernment protests China has seen in decades.
Arts & Culture
The Orville: New Horizons, Created by Seth McFarlane
Thomas Walker-Werth November 21, 2022
The Orville: New Horizons explores complex issues in a balanced manner and presents a positive but believable vision of the future, resulting in one of the best science-fiction shows in recent decades.
Politics & Rights
Russian Tyranny and Conscription—Courtesy of Altruism
Thomas Walker-Werth October 13, 2022
On September 21, 2022, the Russian government announced that it was conscripting 300,000 men to go to the front lines in Ukraine. This desperate act on the part of Putin’s regime further demonstrates its complete disregard for individual rights—not only those of Ukrainians, as was already obvious, but of Russians as well.
History, Philosophy, Politics & Rights
Elihu Palmer’s Journey from Religion to Reason
Thomas Walker-Werth September 27, 2022
Elihu Palmer bravely advocated a philosophy of reason, based on observation of nature, when religion and superstition dominated the culture. He did this not only in spite of fierce popular resistance but also in defiance of tragic personal circumstances.
Economics, Politics & Rights, Science & Technology
Johan Norberg on Openness, Innovation, and Flourishing
“The key to remaining an optimist,” says Norberg, “is to ignore politics, at least a little. . . . Read a science magazine to look at the interesting research and the innovations that are taking place. You’ll realize that even under the worst of circumstances, the worst politics and the nastiest tempers, people continue to improve the world.”
Arts & Culture, History, Reviews
Straight Line Crazy by David Hare
Thomas Walker-Werth June 7, 2022
Despite some faults, Straight Line Crazy does an excellent job of bringing to modern audiences the harsh reality of how governments, even in wealthy, developed countries, can ride roughshod over people’s rights, rich and poor alike.
Politics & Rights
Russia Shows Why Britain Was Right to Send Weapons to Ukraine
Thomas Walker-Werth May 6, 2022
Russia has firmly and unquestionably established itself as a threat to Britain and the civilized world. Western governments should recognize the Russian regime for what it is: A despotic dictatorship bent on conquest with no regard for the lives or rights of individuals.
Science & Technology
How Going to Space Can Enhance Human Flourishing, with Dr. Robert Zubrin
Thomas Walker-Werth April 16, 2022
"We have a revolution in spaceflight right now," says Dr. Robert Zubrin, "and it's being caused by freedom." In this interview he discusses how becoming a spacefaring species has the potential to greatly enhance human flourishing and revolutionize our society.
Philosophy, Politics & Rights
The Collectivist Roots of Russian Atrocities
Thomas Walker-Werth April 7, 2022
What is happening now in Ukraine is a kind of barbarism many in the West thought was consigned to history. The only antidote to it is a principled defense of the very ideas Putin opposes: individualism and individual rights.
Politics & Rights
Putin, Planes, and Dealing with Dictators
Thomas Walker-Werth March 16, 2022
The Russian government of Vladimir Putin has issued a mandate effectively seizing the planes of European companies. Western companies should learn from this experience and pull out of all rights-violating nations.
Arts & Culture, Reviews
The Book of Boba Fett, Created by Jon Favreau
Thomas Walker-Werth February 18, 2022
Star Wars is great for two principal reasons: A clear, moving story about good triumphing over evil; and likable, interesting characters. Unfortunately, The Book of Boba Fett falls short in both regards.
Economics, Philosophy
Why Jeff Bezos Is Not a “Tech Mogul” or “King of E-Commerce”
Thomas Walker-Werth February 18, 2022
A king is only a king if he maintains his rule through force. An entrepreneur cannot resort to force; his means of success is voluntary exchange. Next time you hear someone criticize “tech moguls” or the “king” of any given industry, this distinction may come in handy.
Politics & Rights
The Fundamental Difference between Ukraine and Russia
Thomas Walker-Werth January 31, 2022
As I write this, more than one hundred thousand Russian troops are gathered along their border with Ukraine. Every day, Ukrainian citizens are living in fear of invasion. Why are innocent people facing the prospect of death and destruction at the hands of a foreign power?